Tunisia bids farewell, on Saturday, to its president Beji Caid Essebsi at a state funeral amid tightened security measures.
The funeral was attended by foreign leaders including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, French President Emmanuel Macron, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, King Abdullah II of Jordan, interim president of Algeria, Abdelkader Ben Saleh, King of Spain Felipe VI, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Secretary-General of Arab League (AL), Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Hundreds of Tunisians chanted the national anthem raising the Tunisian flag and photos of Essebsi who died at a military hospital in Tunis on Thursday, while some cried.
Noteworthy, the independent supreme electoral commission of Tunisia set next September 15 as presidential election date.
Head of parliament Mohamed Ennaceur was sworn in as interim president following the death of the 92-year-old President..
The Tunisian government has declared seven days of mourning following the death of Essebsi.
According to the Tunisian constitution, the parliament head takes over for a period of 45 to 90 days, until new elections are organized.
Ennaceur appealed for unity in the country to achieve further progress and meet the aspirations of the Tunisian people.
In a speech broadcast on state television, the interim Tunisian President pledged to work on establishing the principles of social peace, supporting dialogue among various parties and maintaining gains achieved by Tunisia
The 85-year-old interim president, who served as Speaker of parliament since 2014, also called on national parties, organizations and associations to trust state institutions to keep Tunisia free and independent.
Related Links:
https://see.news/tunisian-presidential-election-to-be-held-on-sep-15/
https://see.news/breaking-tunisian-1st-democratically-elected-president-dies-at-92/
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