Tunisian leader rules out putsch

TUNIS

There is little chance of an army coup in Tunisia, Ghannouchi says. REUTERS photo

Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Tunisia’s ruling Ennahda party – a close ally of the Muslim Brotherhood – has ruled out any Egyptian-style overthrow of the North African country’s government in remarks published today.

“Some young dreamers may think that they can repeat in Tunisia what happened in Egypt, but their efforts would be wasted,” Ghannouchi told Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat, insisting the situation in Tunisia is “different” from that in Egypt.

“We have taken a serious strategy based on consensus, especially between the Islamist and modernist movements, which has saved our country from the risks of divisions,” he said.

Tunisians have recently launched their version of the Tamarod (rebellion) campaign, which mobilized the massive protests against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Our national army is outside of politics, [unlike in] Egypt, which has been ruled by the military for 60 years,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Political stability in the North African country that touched off the Arab Spring uprisings remains fragile, two-and-a-half years after the revolution that ousted veteran strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Its political forces are now locked in debate as they seek to draw up a post-revolution Constitution.

Adopting the charter is seen as key to restoring stability in Tunisia and helping overcome the political crises, social unrest and violent attacks by radical Islamist groups that have rocked the country since the revolution. Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh also said a situation like the one unfolding in Egypt was unlikely to happen in Tunisia.

“Our approach is characterized by consensus and partnership,” said Larayedh, who is also a senior leader of Ennahda.

“The possibility of an Egypt scenario is unlikely in Tunisia because I have great confidence in the awareness of Tunisians and their ability to measure the potential of their country,” Larayedh said.