UN chief calls for ‘rule of law’ in Tunisia after loss of life

ABU DHABI – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called yesterday for the establishment of rule of law in Tunisia and expressed concern over deaths in the North African country, which ousted its president last Friday after a month of street protests.

‘We’re concerned about the loss of lives and the continuing violence in Tunisia,’ the UN chief said, speaking at a news conference in Abu Dhabi.Asked if he thought the situation in Tunisia would spread to other countries in the Middle East, he said he was not in a position to comment on the implications, but added, ‘The Tunisia situation highlights the need for governments to address the needs of people.’Meanwhile Tunisian security forces used water cannon, tear gas and fired shots in the air yesterday as demonstrators took to the streets demanding that the ruling party of the ousted president give up power.The prime minister was preparing to announce a coalition government following the fall of president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in the face of weeks of violent unrest, but the renewed protests suggested the new line-up might not be popular.About a thousand people gathered in the capital’s main boulevard in a demonstration against the ruling RCD party, chanting: ‘Out with the RCD!’ and ‘Out with the party of the dictatorship!’Monji Amari, one of those demonstrating on Bourguiba Avenue, said: ‘We are here to say ‘No’. We have had enough of this party of power. We do not want to see them any more. Together with Ben Ali they are responsible for the situation that we are in now.’The crowd later dispersed peacefully.Ben Ali’s fall on Friday sent shockwaves through the Arab world, where autocratic leaders preside over similarly repressive governments.Leading Tunisian economist Moncef Cheikhrouhou said the central bank had told him that the former president’s family had taken 1.5 tonnes of gold worth N$448 million out of the country.Militia men loyal to Ben Ali had tried to raid the central bank on Sunday to remove more gold but had been routed by the army, he told Reuters in an interview.Overnight, shooting could be heard in parts of Tunis, following clashes between Tunisian special forces and members of the former president’s security detail on Sunday.FIRING SHOTSResidents reported seeing people in cars, on motorcycles and on foot firing shots apparently at random and then disappearing. People searched the roofs of their apartment blocks after reports that gunmen were firing on people below. ‘There are snipers on the roof. We don’t know where. We are asking for immediate help from security forces,’ one caller to state television said.Tanks and soldiers were stationed on the streets of Tunis.Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi promised rapid action to rebuild the government after Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia amid a street revolt against unemployment, corruption, poverty and repression in which at least 100 people died.Ghannouchi, who served under Ben Ali, promised a ‘new government which will open a new page in the history of Tunisia’.But the expected presence of members of the old government in the coalition did not find favour on the streets.’I will be the first to go out on the streets,’ said one Tunisian man, who did not want to be named. ‘It is just all the same people as before.’Three opposition leaders would take posts in the new coalition, two sources close to negotiations on building the new government told Reuters. But the interior and foreign ministers in the old administration will keep their jobs.Speaker of parliament Fouad Mebazza, sworn in as interim president, had asked Ghannouchi to form a government of national unity, and constitutional authorities said a presidential election should be held within 60 days.There were long lines outside bakeries in Tunis yesterday morning as people started buying provisions after several days when shops were shut and most people stayed inside their houses.Government offices were open for the first time since Thursday, though some employees said they would stay at home because they did not think travelling was safe.Tunisia’s crisis, which began when a man set himself on fire after police seized his vegetable cart, seemed to be prompting copycat burnings. Four men were reported to have set themselves ablaze in Algeria, one in Egypt and another in Mauritania.The crisis also raised fears for the economies of neighbouring countries. The cost of insuring north African nations’ debt against default rose sharply yesterday.Egyptian stocks posted their biggest drop in seven months and the pound dipped to its weakest in almost six years yesterday as investors feared turmoil in Tunisia could spread.- Nampa-Reuters