Qatar called on Tunisia's political forces to "prioritise the interests of the people, follow the voice of wisdom, and avoid escalation and its implications on Tunisia's experience that earned regional and international respect." In a statement published by its foreign ministry, Doha said it is closely following the developments in the North African state. "Qatar hopes that the Tunisian parties would choose dialogue to overcome the crisis, consolidate the foundations of its institutions, and establish the rule of law," the statement added. On Sunday, President Kais Saied sacked Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and ordered parliament closed for 30 days, a move the biggest political party Ennahdha decried as a "coup", following a day of angry nationwide street protests against the government's handling of the Covid pandemic.
Police intervened Monday to prevent clashes outside the parliament building between lawmakers from Islamist party Ennahdha, which dominates the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia, and demonstrators supporting President Saeid. Both sides shouted and some stones were thrown, according to an Associated Press reporter and videos circulating online
Security forces also moved in Monday on the Tunis offices of Al Jazeera, according to a statement by the Qatar-based network on its Facebook page. The reason for the move was not immediately clear.
Al-Jazeera, citing its journalists, said 10 ``heavily armed police officers'' entered their bureau without a warrant and asked everyone to leave. ``The reporters' phones and other equipment were confiscated, and they were not allowed back into the building to retrieve their personal belongs,'' the organization said.
Qatar and its Al-Jazeera satellite news network has been viewed by some Mideast nations as promoting Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in several Arab countries.
