Tunisia elections declared in doubt amid row over possible coup remarks

MUSTAPHA AJBAILI

Tunisia’s planned July elections to form a new government after the ouster of the former president could be delayed amid renewed unrest, interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi said on Monday.

Protests erupted against Mr. Essebsi’s government last Thursday after former interior minister Farhat Rajhi claimed a military coup was being prepared should the Islamist Ennahda (Renaissance) win the July election.

Mr. Rajhi, in a video interview posted on Facebook, said some members of the ruling elite still in power were preparing a military coup should the Islamist Ennahda (Renaissance) win the July 24 election.
“Since independence, political life has been dominated by the people of the Tunisian Sahel,” such as former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in January.

Despite Mr. Ben Ali’s ouster these people were not ready to cede power, Mr. Rajhi said.
“If the results of the forthcoming elections go against their interests, there will be a military coup,” he said.

Mr. Rahji also said that Mr. Essebsi had discussed the military coup issue during a visit to Algeria in mid-March. Algeria and Tunisia , neighbors in North Africa, have had a tenuous relationship.
“The nomination on April 18 of General Rachid Ammar as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is only in preparation of the coup,” Mr. Rahji said.

Mr. Essebsi responded on Sunday saying, “Farhat Rajhi is a liar and his statements are dangerous and irresponsible and (he) deserves to be prosecuted.”
In a bid to reassure protesters he reiterated commitment to the July poll but said logistical problems could delay the vote.

“The government made a commitment by choosing the date of July 24 and we intend to keep to that date but if the reform committee says there are technical and logistical hitches, there will be another probability to discuss,” he said.
“It is true we have been slow in dealing with this but the high commission charged with preparing these crucial elections in July is independent and the government is only giving it material and logistical support,” Mr. Essebsi said.
The election will appoint an assembly to draw up a new constitution after the January 14 ouster of Mr. Ben Ali, who held power for 23 years. His authoritarian rule, according to his critics, was characterized by corruption.
The uprising that toppled Mr. Ben Ali sparked revolts across the Arab world, such as in Egypt.
Mr. Essebsi said the work of the provisional government would cease on the day of the vote.
(Published by Mustapha Ajbaili o nhttp://english.alarabiya.net/ May 9, 2011)