Angry Tunisian president lashes out at politicians 'collaborating with Zionists'

03 Septembre 2020

Tunis, Tunisia, September 3 (Infosplusgabon) - Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed on Wednesday severely criticised Tunisian parties and politicians, calling them "traitors and collaborators with the Zionists", without specifying their identity or explaining how the accusations relate to the vote of confidence in the government.

"I followed yesterday's session closely to see those who claimed the truth and those who lied and defamed, and there are many of them," Mr. Saied added.

He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of members of the new government.

After pledging to respect the Constitution and show restraint, the Tunisian head of state said that "some do not deserve respect, or even contempt and disdain", pointing the finger at many MPs and politicians.

He added: "If I am generous in life, I am not generous in defending the interests of the state and the Tunisian people. The one who has betrayed his country, sold his soul and betrayed trust, only the dustbin of history is his fate.

"I know the finer things in detail and [I know] who infiltrated the Palace [of Carthage] and talk about the details. I know more than they know. I will not respond to them with the expressions I heard yesterday (during the plenary session of the vote of confidence) because they only provoke contempt and disdain."

"The day will come when you will learn all the truth, all without exception, unless there is a duty of reserve or discretion," he said, referring to the criticism and accusations made against him on Wednesday during the plenary session devoted to the vote of confidence in the Mechichi government.

Mr. Saïed has been singled out by many MPs and politicians and has been accused of having exceeded his prerogatives to impose certain ministers, or to have asked the parties, following a disagreement between him and Mechichi, not to give their confidence in the latter, with a commitment in return not to dissolve Parliament.

Mr. Saïed, on the other hand, gave the assurance that one day he will reveal the names of all those who collaborate with the Zionists.

He called on Mr. Mechichi's government to "stand united against those who have betrayed their country," saying that the Prime Minister is indeed the head of government and not a prime minister or a secretary of state to the president.

This statement is in reaction to accusations that the Prime Minister receives instructions and guidance him. He said that it is Parliament that will be responsible for this after giving approving his government in a confidence vote.

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