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☆ Tunisian opposition figure Moussi begins hunger strike in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTUNIS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Abir Moussi, a prominent opponent of Tunisian President Kais Saied, went on a hunger strike in prison on Tuesday to protest what her lawyers said was a violation of her rights to freedom and political activity. Her lawyers said in a statement that Moussi would be on hunger strike for 16 days, coinciding with a campaign to highlight violence against women in Tunisia. Police this year have detained more than 20 leading political figures, accusing some of plotting against state security. In recent months, the PDL has organised protests against Saied. Moussi accuses Saied of ruling outside the law.

Persons: Moussi, Zoubeir, Kais Saied, Saied, Zine El Abidine ben Ali, Tarek Amara, Grant McCool Organizations: Tunisia's Free Destourian Party, REUTERS, Rights, Free Constitutional Party, PDL, Police, Saied, Thomson Locations: Tunis, Tunisia, Rights TUNIS

☆ Tunisia Says Escaped Islamist Convicts Believed to Be Behind Bank Robbery
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS (Reuters) - The Tunisian National Guard said two of five Islamists who escaped from prison this week are believed to have carried out an armed robbery of a bank near the capital on Friday. Five Islamists convicted of killing two secular politicians and policemen escaped from jail on Tuesday in a rare security breach for the North African country, prompting the government to dismiss top intelligence officials. The robbery in the Boumhele near Tunis comes just as the tourism sector has begun to recover after years of stagnation due to jihadist attacks and the COVID pandemic. The five men included one who had been serving a 24-year sentence for the assassination of secular politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi in 2013. Another of the five had taken part in violent attacks that have shaken Tunisia in the past decade.

Persons: Kais Saied, Chokri Belaid, Mohamed, Tarek Amara, Nick Macfie Organizations: Tunisian National Guard, National Guard, Security Locations: TUNIS, Tunis, Tunisia, Chaambi, Algerian

☆ Tunisian police detain head of Football Federation on suspicion of corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TUNIS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Tunisian police arrested Wadi Al Jari, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTT), over suspicion of financial corruption, officials said on Thursday. Al Jari will appear today before the investigating judge, a judicial source said. Chokri Hamda, the spokesman for the Ministry of Sports said that the arrest of Al Jari, an influential figure, was due to financial corruption and an improper contract between the football federation and the technical director. Al Jari has been president of the federation since 2012. Reporting by Tarek Amara Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wadi Al Jari, Al Jari, Chokri Hamda, Tarek Amara, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Tunisian Football Federation, Ministry of Sports, Thomson Locations: TUNIS

[1/3] Yemenis gather during a pro-Palestinian protest to express solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, October 20, 2023. Some demanded military action against Israel, others said Arab states should consider using other methods to stop the bombardment of Gaza. Egypt borders Gaza but has not been able to negotiate an opening of its crossing to allow in aid. Hundreds of people marched in central Tunis, a smaller protest than ones that have rallied there against Israel's Gaza campaign in recent days. On Iraq's border with Jordan, hundreds of supporters of Iran-backed paramilitary groups staged a sit-in to voice support for Gaza, brought in by bus.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Gomaa, Souhail Ben Nasser, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Marisa, Hussein Samir, Suleiman al, Nafisa Eltahir, Amina Ismail, Tarek Amara, Ali Kucukgocmen, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Angus McDowall, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Houthi Media, REUTERS, Israel, Gaza, U.S ., Indonesian, U.S, Iran, Bulent Usta, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Sanaa, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, AMMAN, CAIRO, Jakarta, Tunis, Israel, Palestinian, Beyazit, Palestine, Cairo, Morocco, Western Sahara, America, Asia, U.S, Kuala Lumpur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Iraq, Tehran, Baghdad, Iran, Khalidi, Amman, Nafisa, Istanbul, Rabat

☆ Protesters in Mideast vent fury at Gaza blast as Europe ups security
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, which denied blame. In Tunis, protesters burned Israeli and American flags and demanded the expulsion of the U.S. and French ambassadors for what they termed their unconditional support for Israel. In Amman, deployed riot police pushed back thousands of Jordanian protesters planning to march on the heavily fortified Israeli embassy. 'REVENGE, REVENGE'The protesters voiced slogans backing Hamas, including "Revenge ... revenge ... O Hamas, bomb Tel Aviv." In Lebanon, security forces fired tear gas and water canon at protesters who were throwing projectiles as a protest near the U.S. embassy north of Beirut turned violent, footage broadcast by footage broadcast by Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed.

Persons: Jihed, Israel, “, ”, Ines Laswed, Nadia Sweilam, It's, Hesham Safieddine, Matteo Piantedosi, Tarek Amara, Suleiman al, Tom Perry, Benoit Van Overstraeten, William Maclean, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, Islamic Jihad, Israel, West Bank, Hamas, Hezbollah, French Foreign, Islamic State, Thomson Locations: Al, Ahli, Gaza, Tunis, Tunisia, Israel France, Lebanon, Europe, France, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Amman, Rabia, Jordanian, Tel Aviv, U.S, Beirut, Lebanese, Palestinian, America, Hamas's, Versailles, Italy, Italian, Milan, Khalidi, Paris

☆ Tunisia Rejects EU Financial Aid, Casting Doubt on an Immigration Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tarek AmaraTUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday rejected financial support announced by the European Union in September, saying the amount is small and goes against a deal signed three months ago. The European Commission last month said it would disburse 127 million euros ($133 million) in aid to Tunisia as part of the deal to fight illegal immigration from Africa to Europe. “Tunisia rejects what the EU announced, not because of the small amount ... but because the proposal conflicts with the memorandum of understanding signed in July," Saied said. The July deal included a pledge of 1 billion euros in aid to Tunisia to help its battered economy, rescue state finances and deal with the migration crisis. Tunisia last week postponed a visit by a delegation from the European Commission to discuss the details of the migration agreement.

Persons: Tarek Amara TUNIS, Kais Saied, Saied, Tarek Amara Organizations: European Union, European Commission, “, EU Locations: Europe, Tunisia, Africa, “ Tunisia, North Africa, Lampedusa, Germany

☆ Libya says Derna mayor, other officials detained after flood
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A part of Al Sahaba Mosque is seen amid destroyed buildings in the aftermath of the deadly storm that hit Libya, in Derna, Libya September 21, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra Acquire Licensing RightsBENGHAZI, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The mayor of Libya's eastern city of Derna was detained along with other officials on suspicion of mismanagement and negligence over the collapse of dams that flooded the city two weeks ago, Libya's attorney general's office said on Monday. Those detained included the mayor and an official in charge of water resources, it said, without identifying them. Derna was controlled until 2019 by fighters from a series of groups including Islamic State. Reporting by Ayman al-Warfali Writing by Tarek Amara Editing by Peter GraffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Zohra, Muammar Gaddafi, Derna, Abdulmenam, Ayman al, Tarek Amara, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, NATO, Islamic, International, Thomson Locations: Al Sahaba, Libya, Derna, Rights BENGHAZI, Libya's, Tripoli, Islamic State

☆ Tunisia hit by rare nationwide power blackout
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TUNIS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Electricity supplies were cut across Tunisia for two hours on Wednesday but the reason for the rare nationwide outage was unclear, residents and the state electricity company STEG said on Wednesday. The Interior Minister Kamal Feki was headed to the power plant in Rades city to investigate the reasons behind the blackout, his ministry said. Reporting by Tarek Amara, writing by Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: STEG, Kamal Feki, Tarek Amara, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Michael Perry Organizations: Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia, Rades

[1/10] Children's toys are seen amid rubble in the aftermath of the deadly storm that hit Libya, in Derna, Libya September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra Acquire Licensing RightsDERNA, Libya, Sept 18 (Reuters) - "I lost my daughter. A week after the flood that swept the centre of the city of Derna into the sea, families are still coping with the unbearable losses of their dead - and haunted by the unknown fates of the missing. The centre of Derna is a wasteland, with stray dogs standing listlessly on muddy mounds where buildings once stood. "Contaminated water can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, putting vulnerable populations, especially women and children, at increased risk."

Persons: Zohra, Ahmed Ashour, Othman Abduljaleel, Muammar Gaddafi, Derna, Tom Perry, Tarek Amara, Peter Graff, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, World Health Organization, Reuters, NATO, Islamic, Residents, Rescue Committee, Thomson Locations: Libya, Derna, al Qaeda, Islamic State

[1/10] Children's toys are seen amid rubble in the aftermath of the deadly storm that hit Libya, in Derna, Libya September 18, 2023. A week after the flood that swept the centre of the city of Derna into the sea, families are still coping with the unbearable losses of their dead - and haunted by the unknown fates of the missing. The centre of Derna is a wasteland, with stray dogs standing listlessly on muddy mounds where buildings once stood. The biggest threat to survivors may now come from contaminated water supplies. "Contaminated water can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, putting vulnerable populations, especially women and children, at increased risk."

Persons: Zohra, Blil, Hakim, Othman Abduljaleel, Ahmed Ashour, hasn't, Muammar Gaddafi, Derna, Tom Perry, Tarek Amara, Peter Graff, Alex Richardson, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, World Health Organization, Authorities, Reuters, NATO, Islamic, Residents, Rescue Committee, Thomson Locations: Libya, Derna, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ Tunisia Arrests Migrants, Seizes Boats in Major People-Smuggling Crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tarek AmaraTUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian police supported by planes and anti-terrorism units arrested hundreds of migrants and seized boats on Saturday in a major crackdown on people smuggling in the coastal region of Sfax - a key departure point for migrants heading to Europe. Tunisian National Guard units raided homes where hundreds of migrants were staying, intercepted trucks carrying migrants towards the beaches and seized vessels used by the smugglers, officials and witnesses said. "The air operation is intended to target smugglers who trade in the pain of frustrated people," National Guard Colonel Houssem Jbebli told reporters. Saied ordered the crackdown to confront the "unacceptable influx of migrants", the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Friday for the European Union to act jointly "with a naval mission if necessary" to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

Persons: Tarek Amara TUNIS, Kais Saied, Houssem Jbebli, Saied, Giorgia Meloni, Tarek Amara, Helen Popper Organizations: Tunisian National Guard, National Guard, Interior Ministry, European Union Locations: Sfax, Europe, North Africa, Jebiniana, Tunisia, Italy, Lampedusa

☆ 'They knew' - Libyans express fury that warnings went unheeded before catastrophic flood
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

"The Libyan government knew what was going on in the Derna River Valley and the danger of the situation for a very long time." In his report, hydrologist Ashour cites an unpublished 2006 study from the Water Resources Ministry on "the danger of the situation." The Turkish company, Arsel, lists a project on its website to repair the Derna dams as having begun in 2007 and been completed in 2012. Even as the catastrophe was unfolding on Sunday night, the Water Resources Ministry issued a post on its Facebook page telling residents not to worry. "When the water started flowing into the house, me and my two sons with their wives escaped to the roof.

Persons: hydrologist Abdul Wanis Ashour, Ashour, Abdulqader Mohamed Alfakhakhri, Alwad Alshawly, hydrologist Ashour, Muammar Gaddafi, Derna, Al Qaeda, Omar al, Moghairbi, Marwan Alfaituri, Abdulmenam, Ghaithi, Petteri Taalas, Gaddafi, Khalifa Hafter, Abdulhamid, Aguila Saleh, Yousef Alfkakhri, Tom Perry, Angus McDowall, Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam, Tarek Amara, Emma Farge, Mariana Sandoval, Peter Graff, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: Reuters, Public Water Commission, Sebha University, of, Applied Sciences, Water Resources Ministry, NATO, Islamic, Gaddafi's, Libya's, Derna, Sunday, World Meteorological Organization, Libyan National Army, Thomson Locations: Libya, Derna, Tripoli, Turkish, Islamic State, Geneva, Libyan, Benghazi

☆ Libya flood: fury that warnings went unheeded
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

[1/4] A view shows the damaged areas, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya, September 13, 2023, in this picture obtained from social media. In his report, hydrologist Ashour cites an unpublished 2006 study from the Water Resources Ministry on "the danger of the situation." The Turkish company, Arsel, lists a project on its website to repair the Derna dams as having begun in 2007 and been completed in 2012. Even as the catastrophe was unfolding on Sunday night, the Water Resources Ministry issued a post on its Facebook page telling residents not to worry. "When the water started flowing into the house, me and my two sons with their wives escaped to the roof.

Persons: Marwan Alfaituri, hydrologist Abdul Wanis Ashour, Ashour, Abdulqader Mohamed Alfakhakhri, Alwad Alshawly, hydrologist Ashour, Muammar Gaddafi, Derna, Al Qaeda, Omar al, Moghairbi, Abdulmenam, Ghaithi, Petteri Taalas, Gaddafi, Khalifa Hafter, Abdulhamid, Aguila Saleh, Yousef Alfkakhri, Tom Perry, Angus McDowall, Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam, Tarek Amara, Emma Farge, Mariana Sandoval, Peter Graff, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: Reuters, Public Water Commission, Sebha University, of, Applied Sciences, Water Resources Ministry, NATO, Islamic, Gaddafi's, Libya's, Derna, Sunday, World Meteorological Organization, Libyan National Army, Thomson Locations: Derna, Libya, Tripoli, Turkish, Islamic State, Geneva, Libyan, Benghazi

☆ Libya floods wipe out quarter of city, 10,000 feared missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Ayman Werfali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEAR DERNA, Libya, Sept 12 (Reuters) - At least 10,000 people were feared missing in Libya on Tuesday in floods caused by a huge storm, which burst dams, swept away buildings and wiped out as much as a quarter of the eastern city of Derna. "The number of bodies recovered in Derna is more 1,000," he said. "I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. [1/5]People are stuck on a road as a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit Shahhat city, Libya, September 11, 2023. Libya is politically divided between east and west and public services have crumbled since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that prompted years of conflict.

Persons: Storm Daniel, Abu Chkiouat, Al Jazeera, Ramadan, Ali Al, Saadi, Tarek Amara, Ayman Werfali, Friedrieke Heine, Angus McDowall, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Clauda, Tom Perry, Ingrid Melander, Alison Williams, Peter Graff Organizations: Reuters, International Federation of, Red Crescent Societies, Facebook, Libyan, Thomson Locations: DERNA, Libya, Derna, Geneva, Tunisia, Derna's, NATO, Tripoli, Misrata, United States

"We can confirm from our independent sources of information that the number of missing people is hitting 10,000 so far," he told reporters via video link. 'NEVER FELT AS FRIGHTENED'[1/6]People are stuck on a road as a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit Shahhat city, Libya, September 11. At Tripoli airport in northwest Libya, a woman started to wail loudly as she received a call saying most of her family were dead or missing. "If a huge flood happens the result will be catastrophic for the people of the wadi and the city," the paper said. Pope Francis was among world leaders who said they were deeply saddened by the deaths and destruction in Libya.

Persons: Daniel, Storm Daniel, Abu Chkiouat, Derna, Al Jazeera, Tamer Ramadan, Martin Griffiths, Ali Al, Saadi, Mostafa Salem, Salem, wail, Walid Abdulati, Karim al, Al, Khalifah, hydrologist, Omar Al, Mukhtar, Pope Francis, Tarek Amara, Ayman Werfali, Ahmed Elumami, Al Bayda, Laila Bassam, Friedrieke Heine, Angus McDowall, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Clauda Tanios, Jana Choukeir, Gavin Jones, Emma Farge, Tom Perry, Ingrid Melander, Alison Williams, Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: UN, Storm, Reuters, International Federation of, Red Crescent Societies, United, REUTERS, Libyan, Mukhtar University, Norway's Refugee, Thomson Locations: Libya's, Libya, Derna, Benghazi, United Nations, Turkey, Tripoli, Al Jazeera, NATO, Misrata, Norway's, Tunisia, Al

☆ Storm and floods kill at least 150 people in Libya-Red Crescent
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Ayman Werfali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"People were asleep and woke up and found their homes surrounded by water," he told Reuters. Heavy floods washed away vehicles, footage broadcast by eastern Libya's Almostkbal TV showed. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani instructed the government to send aid to the affected area in eastern Libya, Qatar's state news agency reported. His administration holds little sway in eastern Libya, but Dbeibah said on Sunday he had directed all state agencies to “immediately deal” with the damage and floods in eastern cities. Dbeibah's government is recognised by the Central Bank of Libya, which disburses funds to government departments across the country.

Persons: Storm Daniel, Al Bayda, Marj, Fhakeri, Saleh, Ahmed Mohamed, Ahmad Mismari, Khalifa, Witnesses, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Thani, Abdulhamid, Ras Lanuf, Dbeibah, Ayman Werfali, Ahmed Elumami, Moaz Abd, Tarek Amara, Tom Perry, Nick Macfie, Andrew Heavens, William Maclean Organizations: Reuters, Libyan National Army, UNESCO, Authorities, Central Bank of Libya, United Nations, Thomson Locations: BENGHAZI, Libyan, Derna, Benghazi, Sousse, Al, Qatar's, Libya, Tripoli, Zueitina, Brega, Es Sidra, “, Tala, Dubai, Cairo, Tunis, Beirut

☆ Algeria to allow Morocco flights after quake despite bad ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a damaged building on the road between Amizmiz and Ouirgane, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed El Jechtimi Acquire Licensing RightsALGIERS, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Morocco's deadly earthquake prompted Algeria, which cut ties with its neighbour two years ago, to put aside the countries' bad relations and open its air space to aid flights. The border between Algeria and Morocco, the most powerful countries in the region, has been closed since 1994 and Algiers closed its air space to Morocco and suspended diplomatic relations in 2021, accusing Rabat of "hostile acts". During deadly wildfires in Algeria during each of the past three summers, Morocco has made offers of aid that Algiers has publicly ignored. Many Algerians voiced solidarity with Morocco on social media, some saying they hoped the bad political ties would not get in the way of helping their neighbour.

Persons: Ahmed El Jechtimi, Abdelkader Bengrina, Al Bina, Lamine Chikhi, Tarek Amara, Angus McDowall, Mark Heinrich, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Rabat, Foreign Ministry, Thomson Locations: Amizmiz, Morocco, ALGIERS, Algeria, Algiers, Western Sahara, North Africa, Europe

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech. "When I felt the earth shaking beneath my feet and the house leaning, I rushed to get my kids out. [1/14]Residents rest in central Marrakesh following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9, 2023. It was Morocco's deadliest earthquake since 1960 when a quake was estimated to have killed at least 12,000 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Marrakech is due to host the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank from Oct. 9.

Persons: Mohamed Azaw, Mohamed Ouhammo, Montasir, Abdellatif Ait, Saida Bodchich, Hannah McKay, Waaziz Hassan, Mohammad Kashani, Zakia Abdennebi, Tarek Amara, Alexander Cornwell, Ahmed Tolba, Jose Joseph, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Adam Makary, Michelle Nichols, Graham Keeley, Josephine Mason, Angus McDowall, Tom Perry, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry, Alexander Smith, Peter Graff, Daniel Wallis Organizations: WHO, Moroccan, Interior Ministry, Geological Survey, Food, High, REUTERS, World Health Organization, UNESCO, . Geological Survey, University of Southampton, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, IMF, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Morocco, U.S, Amizmiz, Asni, Tansghart, Abdellatif Ait Bella, Marrakesh, Huelva, Jaen, Spain, Jemaa, Moroccan, Turkey, Algeria, Tunis, Imsouane, Dubai, Bengaluru, Cairo, New York, Madrid, London

☆ Tunisia to reopen Bardo national museum shut in 2021 power seizure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TUNIS, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Tunisia will soon reopen its Bardo national museum, the Culture Ministry said on Tuesday, two years after it was closed when President Kais Saied shuttered the parliament, which shares the same building. The new parliament started work this year but there had been no firm information about reopening the national museum - one of the capital's main attractions in a country economically dependent on tourism. Enormous mosaics with rich details and vivid colours are displayed throughout the museum including ones showing the Roman sea god Neptune, hunting scenes and spectacular arrays of sea life. The Bardo mosaics, along with others in the museums at Sousse and by the amphitheatre at El-Djem, are taken from the luxurious villas built during the Roman era and into late antiquity. Reporting by Tarek Amara, writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kais Saied, Saied, Bardo, Tarek Amara, Angus McDowall, Josie Kao Organizations: Culture Ministry, Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Tunisia, Bardo, Carthage, Sousse, El

☆ Tunisia places senior official in main opposition party under house arrest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Tunisian authorities placed Abdel Karim Harouni, the senior official in the opposition Ennahda Islamist Party, under house arrest, the country's main opposition coalition said on Saturday. Harouni heads the Shura Council, the highest-ranking body in Ennahda, which was the biggest political party in the parliament closed by President Kais Saied in 2021. The Salvation Front coalition said "the arbitrary decision" against Harouni was in the context of the arrest of leaders of Ennahda and the closure of its headquarters. The government also banned meetings at all Ennahda offices, and police closed all party offices, in a move Ennahda said aimed at consolidating a dictatorial regime. The opposition parties have decried their leaders' arrests as politically motivated, and local and international rights groups have urged authorities to free the detainees.

Persons: Abdel Karim Harouni, Harouni, Kais Saied, Rached Ghannouchi, Noureddine Bhiri, Riadh Bettaib, Said Ferjani, Sahbi Atigue, Mohamed Ben Salem, Ennahda, Saied, Tarek Amara, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Islamist Party, Front, Police, Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Ennahda

☆ Tourists from Morocco shot dead after straying into Algerian waters on jet ski- survivor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RABAT, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Algerian authorities shot dead at least one Moroccan tourist after a group of five strayed into Algerian waters on jet skis, according to one of the survivors. Another member of their group was detained by the Algerian authorities, Kissi said. Moroccan authorities said they could not comment on the case, calling it a judicial matter. Mustafa Mechouar, the father of Abdelali Mechouar, told Reuters he believed his son was dead and wanted to bury him. "I appeal to Moroccan and Algerian authorities to reach an agreement to bring my son back to me to observe a proper funeral and burial for him," he said.

Persons: Mohamed Kissi, Morocco's, Kissi, Bilal, Abdelali Mechouar, Mohamed, Bilal Kissi, Bilal Kissi's, Mustafa Mechouar, Ahmed El Jechtimi, Tarek Amara, Geert de Clercq, Angus McDowall, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rabat, Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: RABAT, Moroccan, Saidia, Algeria, Morocco, Algiers, Algerian, Oujda, Rabat, Tunis, Paris

☆ Four dead, 51 missing after migrant ship sinks off Tunisian coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS, Aug 7 (Reuters) - At least four migrants died and 51 were missing after a migrant ship sank off Tunisia's Kerkennah island, a judicial official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that all the migrants onboard were from sub-Saharan Africa. The Tunisian coast guard recovered 901 bodies of drowned migrants off its coast from Jan. 1 to July 20 this year, the country's interior minister said in July, marking an unprecedented number of victims off the country's coasts. The North Africa country is facing a record wave of migration this year and frequent catastrophes of boats of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa heading to Italian coasts sinking. Tunisia replaced Libya as the region's main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in hopes of a better life in Europe. Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tarek Amara, Lisa Shumaker, Leslie Adler Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Saharan Africa, Tunisian, Jan, North Africa, Tunisia, Libya, Africa, Europe

☆ Tunisia recovered 901 bodies of drowned migrants off its coast this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

TUNIS, July 26 (Reuters) - The Tunisian coast guard recovered 901 bodies of drowned migrants off its coast from Jan. 1 to July 20 this year, the country's interior minister, Kamel Feki, said on Wednesday. Tunisia is facing record waves of migration this year and frequent catastrophes of the sinking of boats of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa heading to Italian coasts. Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kamel Feki, Tarek Amara, Leslie Adler Organizations: Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Tunisian, Jan, Tunisia, Saharan Africa, Italian

☆ Wildfires kill 15 in Algeria as heatwave hits north Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ALGIERS, July 24 (Reuters) - Wildfires killed 15 people in the mountainous Bejaia and Bouira regions of Algeria on Monday, the interior ministry said, as a heatwave spreads across north Africa and southern Europe. Some 7,500 firefighters wee battling to bring the flames under control, authorities said. Firefighters were alsoat work in the Boumerdes, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel and Skikda regions. A major heatwave has hit North African countries, with temperatures reaching 49 Celsius (120 F) in some Tunisian cities. Reporting by Lamine Chiki and Nayera Abdalla; Writing by Tarek Amara Editing by Bernadette Baum and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tizi, Lamine Chiki, Tarek Amara, Bernadette Baum, Nick Macfie Organizations: Firefighters, Thomson Locations: ALGIERS, Algeria, Africa, Europe

☆ Algeria applies to join BRICS, would contribute $1.5 bln to group bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TUNIS, July 21 (Reuters) - Algeria has applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion, Ennahar TV quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying. It added that Tebboune said at the end of his visit to China that Algeria had sought to join the BRICS to open new economic opportunities. The BRICS group of nations comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. "We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank ... Algeria's first contribution in the bank will be $1.5 billion," Ennahar quoted Tebboune as saying. More than 40 countries have expressed interested in joining the BRICS group of nations, South Africa's top diplomat in charge of relations with the bloc said this week.

Persons: Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Tebboune, Algeria's, Ennahar, Tarek Amara, Louise Heavens, Alison Williams Organizations: BRICS Bank, United Arab, Democratic, Thomson Locations: TUNIS, Algeria, China, North Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, South, Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, Kazakhstan

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