Tunisia

06 Nov 2020; MEMO: Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia Marwan Al-Abbasi anticipates a seven to eight per cent decline in gross domestic product (GDP) this year, after recording a two per cent contraction in the first quarter of 2020 and 20 per cent during the second quarter.

This came during a parliamentary session on Thursday on the economic situation and the policies and role of the Central Bank during the coronavirus crisis.

04 Nov 2020; MEMO: Tunisia’s Minister of Health has confirmed that about 3,000 Tunisian doctors living abroad have been asked to return to the country temporarily to help in the struggle against Covid-19. Faouzi Mehdi pointed out that volunteer physicians could be flown to Tunisia via the state airline.

Mehdi explained that his ministry is seeking to attract 300 doctors with the necessary training and skills to cope with the crisis.

TUNIS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied held a meeting on Thursday with visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, during which they discussed boosting bilateral ties and the Libyan peace.

The two sides discussed the need to strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the need to diversify it in various fields, in particular in the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement.

07 Oct 2020; MEMO: Tunisian Prime Minister, Hichem Mechichi, announced the dismissal of Culture Minister, Walid Al-Zaidi, due to his refusal to implement the instructions for measures to confront coronavirus.

TUNIS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Wednesday with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper over the issues of anti-terrorism and the Libyan crisis during his one-day visit to the country.

They discussed U.S.-Tunisian cooperation in the fields of economy, security, defense, combating terrorism and regional issues of common concern, according to a statement released by the Presidency.

On the Libyan crisis, Saied noted the solution to the crisis should be based on the agreement of all the Libyan factions away from any foreign interference.

TUNIS, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied received on Monday visiting Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum, said a statement released by the presidency.

"During the meeting, the head of state pledged to further develop the relations between the two countries to reach the expected level," said the statement.

Saied also insisted on the need to identify new mechanisms in order to boost cooperation in the service of the "two brotherly peoples."

TUNIS (Reuters) - A source close to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar said on Friday that Haftar would shortly announce the lifting of his forces’ blockade on Libyan oil exports, which has been in place since January.

However, Libya’s National Oil Corporation said overnight it would not lift force majeure on exports until oil facilities were demilitarised.

TUNIS, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hichem Mechichi formally assumed his duties as the head of the new Tunisian government on Thursday, said the Tunisian presidency.

During the power transfer ceremony, the new prime minister emphasized that the difficult and complex economic and political climate in which Tunisia is currently living "will not discourage the new government for making all efforts to stop the economic bleeding and ensure the country's stability."

TUNIS, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia’s parliament approved the country’s third government in less than a year on Wednesday, overcoming discontent among lawmakers incensed by how the administration was formed and averting the threat of disruptive early elections.

Former interior minister Hichem Mechichi was confirmed as premier after his cabinet, dominated by independent technocrats, secured support from nearly two-thirds of the chamber’s deputies overnight.

TUNIS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Monday with visiting Italian Minister of Interior Luciana Lamorgese and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio to discuss the illegal immigration issue.

According to a statement released by the presidency, the two Italian ministers were accompanied by the European Commissioner for European Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.