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Tunisia crisis: Tens of thousands join protest | Tunisia crisis: Tens of thousands join protest |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, to demand the resignation of the Islamist-led government. | Tens of thousands of protesters have marched in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, to demand the resignation of the Islamist-led government. |
It is the largest demonstration of its kind since the latest political crisis began two weeks ago when a prominent opposition politician was assassinated. | It is the largest demonstration of its kind since the latest political crisis began two weeks ago when a prominent opposition politician was assassinated. |
Earlier, the constituent assembly was suspended until the government and opposition open negotiations. | Earlier, the constituent assembly was suspended until the government and opposition open negotiations. |
The assembly is drawing up a new constitution. | The assembly is drawing up a new constitution. |
Union call | Union call |
The protest in central Tunis was called by the opposition to demand the assembly's dissolution and the resignation of the government, and to mark the six-month anniversary of the assassination of prominent secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid. | The protest in central Tunis was called by the opposition to demand the assembly's dissolution and the resignation of the government, and to mark the six-month anniversary of the assassination of prominent secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid. |
The powerful Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) called on its 600,000 members to join the rally. | The powerful Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) called on its 600,000 members to join the rally. |
"The people want the fall of the regime," the crowds in Bardo Square shouted. | "The people want the fall of the regime," the crowds in Bardo Square shouted. |
The speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), Mustapha Ben Jaafar, said work on a new constitution and electoral law would resume once "dialogue commences". | The speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC), Mustapha Ben Jaafar, said work on a new constitution and electoral law would resume once "dialogue commences". |
Mr Ben Jaafar, whose Ettakatol party is part of the cabinet, condemned the failure of politicians to resolve the crisis. | Mr Ben Jaafar, whose Ettakatol party is part of the cabinet, condemned the failure of politicians to resolve the crisis. |
There have been daily protests calling for the body to be dissolved since one of its members was assassinated. | There have been daily protests calling for the body to be dissolved since one of its members was assassinated. |
Mohamed Brahmi was shot on 25 July, almost six months after Mr Belaid, a fellow leftist politician, was killed. | Mohamed Brahmi was shot on 25 July, almost six months after Mr Belaid, a fellow leftist politician, was killed. |
About 70 members of the ANC reportedly withdrew in protest at the killings and organised a sit-in outside its headquarters in Tunis. | |
Once the constitution has been drawn up, fresh elections are due to be held in December. The body has already gone eight months beyond its promised deadline. | Once the constitution has been drawn up, fresh elections are due to be held in December. The body has already gone eight months beyond its promised deadline. |
The political unrest is the worst seen in Tunisia since President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown by a popular uprising in January 2011. | The political unrest is the worst seen in Tunisia since President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown by a popular uprising in January 2011. |