Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

3 Militants Eliminated after killing a Policeman in Tunisia


Sun 06 Sep 2020 | 11:27 AM
Mohammad Elzoheiry

A Tunisian security official stated to Reuters on Sunday that "Islamist militants stabbed two policemen" in the Tunisian coastal city of Sousse, a tourist resort, killing one of them, and police in response killed the three.

The attack comes just a few days after the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi took power, to succeed the resigned government of Elyes Fakhfakh.

This incident shows the security challenges facing the North African country, which suffers from economic and social problems.

Tunisia's President Kais Saied appointed the former Interior Minister, Mechichi, as the new Prime Minister to be the successor of Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of conflict of interest.

Fakhfakh's coalition government was elected last year, with his resignation coming after only five months in power.

Mechichi, 47, has served as president's adviser and member of the National Commission of Investigation on Corruption founded in 2011.

However, political analysts are worried about his lack of experience in economics, at a time when the Tunisian economy is struggling.

"I will work to form a government that meets the aspirations of all Tunisians and to respond to their legitimate demands," Mechichi said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Tunisia's economy, especially the crucial tourism industry.

Tunisia expects the economy to shrink by 6.5% this year. Many Tunisians are struggling with economic stagnation and a drop in standard of living.

The country has recently reopened borders for travel.