Ties strengthen as Tunisian President meets Saudi FM
On September 9th, the Tunisian President Kais Saied received visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss bilateral co-operation, reports Xinhua on September 10th.
A statement concerned with the events of the meeting has said discussions focused upon regional issues and their bilateral ties. Both nations seek to improve bilateral co-operation across all sectors.
Furthermore, both countries reaffirmed their commitments to each other in over coming obstacles that may obstruct their relationship and a desire to accelerate the completion of ongoing projects.
During the meetings, discussion turned to Tunisia’s support for Palestine. President Saied discussed Tunisia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause as well as his condemnations of Israeli violence against the Palestinian people.
Saied also noted that the global protests advocating for a free Palestine and that the push for justice and freedom will lay the foundations for a new world order.
Previously, Saied has condemned Israel’s assault on Gaza. However, his government has also overseen the brutal suppression of pro-Palestinian protestors.
In July, the journalist and pro-Palestine activist Ghassan Ben Khelifa 6-month prison sentence for “offending others over social media” was upheld by a Tunisian court – despite human rights groups finding no link between Khelifa and the Facebook page he is alleged to be associated with.
In response, Human rights groups accused Saied of using Tunisian courts to suppress critics of his government.
In August, pro-Palestinian activists were assaulted by security guards whilst protesting inside a supermarket. Similar attacks on protestors and activists have led some to describe the republic of Tunisia as an “Open-air prison” as the actions of Saied’s government have been viewed as authoritarian.
After the meetings between the Tunisian President and the Saudi foreign minister, the FM stressed the importance of the visit. Al Saud stated the visit reflected the commitment of both nations to strengthen ties with each other and coordinate their positions on integral regional and international issues.
Xinhua, Maghrebi.org
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