Tunisia to bury murdered opposition leader amid soaring tensionFebruary 8, 2013 - 09:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tunisia is to bury a murdered opposition leader amid huge tension surrounding his assassination, BBC News said. Towns nationwide are braced for another day of tension and violence as Chokri Belaid is buried in the capital, Tunis. The country's largest trade union has called for a general strike on Friday, February 8. Protests on Thursday saw police fire tear gas at protesters in Tunis and the central town of Gafsa, as a political crisis deepened with the governing Islamist party refused to back its PM. A police officer was killed during clashes between police and opposition supporters. The demonstrators want the downfall of the government led by the Islamist Ennahda party, which they blame for Wednesday's assassination of Mr Belaid. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has attempted to defuse tensions by calling for a non-partisan technocratic government but the Islamist Ennahda party which leads the government has refused to accept this. Wednesday's assassination has exposed many months of tensions between liberal, secular Tunisians and the Islamist led government. Ennahda denies opposition claims that it was behind the killing. Government critics say that in recent months, Ennahda has allowed ultra-conservative Muslim groups to impose their will and opinions on what was always regarded as a bastion of Arab secularism. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. |