Tunisia president revokes predecessor’s passport

Saied terms Moncef Marzouki an enemy of the country

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied yesterday called one of his predecessors, Moncef Marzouki, an enemy of the country and revoked his diplomatic passport after the latter demanded that France end its support for Tunisia under Saied’s leadership.

Saied, who seized a wide range of powers in July, unveiled a new government on Monday, but gave no indication that he was ready to relinquish control. Last week,

Marzouki, who was president from 2011 to 2014, called on France “not to help the dictatorial regime in Tunisia”.

Saied yesterday asked the justice minister to open an investigation into allegations that Marzouki had conspired against state security. “I will withdraw his diplomatic passport because he is among the enemies of Tunisia,” Saied said, referring to Marzouki.

Thousands protested in Tunis last week against Saied’s seizure of almost total power, raising fears of further unrest.

His intervention followed years of economic stagnation and political paralysis, but it has cast into doubt the democratic gains.