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Tunisia bars Ansar al-Sharia Salafist meeting in Kairouan | Tunisia bars Ansar al-Sharia Salafist meeting in Kairouan |
(1 day later) | |
Tunisia has banned the radical Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia from holding a meeting in the city of Kairouan. | Tunisia has banned the radical Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia from holding a meeting in the city of Kairouan. |
The government said the group had "shown disdain for state institutions" and was "a threat to public security". | |
The Salafist group has already vowed to go ahead with the gathering and warned that the government would be responsible for any violence. | The Salafist group has already vowed to go ahead with the gathering and warned that the government would be responsible for any violence. |
Tunisia has seen numerous clashes between the authorities and hardline Islamists since the uprising in 2011. | Tunisia has seen numerous clashes between the authorities and hardline Islamists since the uprising in 2011. |
"The interior ministry has decided to ban the gathering of Ansar al-Sharia, which has shown disdain for state institutions, incited violence against them and poses a threat to public security," a statement said. | |
On Friday, police cordoned off roads into Kairouan, in central Tunisia, and prevented hundreds of people from entering. | On Friday, police cordoned off roads into Kairouan, in central Tunisia, and prevented hundreds of people from entering. |
The US embassy in Tunisia warned citizens against visiting the city. | The US embassy in Tunisia warned citizens against visiting the city. |
"There is the potential for disruption to traffic in the area of Kairouan and possible confrontations with security forces," an advisory said. | "There is the potential for disruption to traffic in the area of Kairouan and possible confrontations with security forces," an advisory said. |
Earlier this week, Rached Ghannouchi who heads the moderate Islamist governing party Ennahda, warned that the government would not allow the annual congress to take place, ahead of a final ruling. | Earlier this week, Rached Ghannouchi who heads the moderate Islamist governing party Ennahda, warned that the government would not allow the annual congress to take place, ahead of a final ruling. |
Angered by that, the ultra-conservative group vowed to go ahead with the gathering. | Angered by that, the ultra-conservative group vowed to go ahead with the gathering. |
Spokesman Seifeddine Rais said on Thursday: "We are not asking permission from the government to preach the word of God and we warn against any police intervention to prevent the congress from taking place." | Spokesman Seifeddine Rais said on Thursday: "We are not asking permission from the government to preach the word of God and we warn against any police intervention to prevent the congress from taking place." |
Ennahda was elected following the overthrow of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, but Salafists want stricter Islamic laws imposed in Tunisia. | Ennahda was elected following the overthrow of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, but Salafists want stricter Islamic laws imposed in Tunisia. |
Ennahda governs in coalition with two non-religious parties and has promised not to ban alcohol or impose the veil. | Ennahda governs in coalition with two non-religious parties and has promised not to ban alcohol or impose the veil. |
But Salafists are demanding the introduction of Sharia in Tunisia and have protested against art that they consider to be blasphemous. | But Salafists are demanding the introduction of Sharia in Tunisia and have protested against art that they consider to be blasphemous. |
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