Tunisian President Sacks 2 Consuls, Orders Audits

Arab World

December 6th, 6:36am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Tunisia's President Kais Saied gives a speech at the government's swearing-in ceremony at the Carthage Palace outside the capital Tunis, Tunisia February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS

The Tunisian presidency on Sunday dismissed the country's consuls in Paris and Milan and ordered financial audits at the European missions. President Kais Saied "instructed the foreign ministry to proceed with an in-depth financial and administrative check" at the two consulates, an official statement published on Facebook said. Saied will replace Paris consul general Taher Arbaoui with Ridha Gharsallaoui, who is close to the head of state and had been serving as interior minister, AFP reported. A former national security adviser to the presidency, Gharsallaoui was named minister on July 29, taking over from former premier Hichem Mechichi, who held the portfolio. Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and assumed exceptional powers on July 25, citing an "imminent threat" to the country. On September 22, he suspended parts of the constitution and installed rule by decree, maintaining full control of the judiciary as well as powers to sack ministers and issue laws. The presidency has said that 10 ambassadors, including to Berlin, Ankara, Beijing and Doha, and six consuls are completing their missions, a move formalizing the end of their terms in August.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3343896/tunisian-president-sacks-2-consuls-orders-audits