Tunisians mourn, look forward to smooth transition

BAB ALIOUA, Tunisia - Tunisians mourning President Beji Caid Essebsi voiced pride yesterday at measures under way to choose his successor, saying his work guiding the country to democracy after a 2011 revolution helped make a peaceful handover of power possible.

Essebsi died aged 92 on Thursday, setting in motion a constitutional process toward selecting a new head of state.

Hundreds of women, men and children stood under a strong sun outside the military hospital where he died, and later watched as his coffin was taken to Carthage presidential palace under heavy security.

Many expressed respect for his role overseeing political reforms in the north African country after the overthrow of veteran autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia has been hailed as the only democratic success of the Arab Spring uprisings, with a new constitution, free elections and a coalition government of moderate Islamist and secular parties in a region otherwise struggling with upheaval.

A state funeral is expected today, and international leaders including French President Emanuel Macron will attend.

A few hours after the death of Essebsi, parliament speaker Mohamed Ennaceur was sworn in as interim president in line with the constitution. The electoral commission announced a presidential election for September 15, two months earlier than previously scheduled. A parliamentary vote is set for October 6. The coming elections will be the third set of polls in which Tunisians have been able to vote freely since the revolution. Meanwhile, Algerian interim President Abdelkader Bensalah has set up a six-member panel to oversee a national dialogue and hold a presidential election aimed at ending months of political crisis, the presidency said on Thursday.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on April 2 after 20 years in power, under pressure from mass protests demanding the removal of the ruling elite and the prosecution of people suspected of corruption.

Authorities had cancelled a presidential election previously planned for July 4, citing a lack of candidates. No new date has been set.

The panel, led by former parliament speaker Karim Younes, also includes two experts in law, an economic expert and two politicians.