TUNIS — President Beji Caid Essebsi reaffirmed Tunisia’s support for Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy to repel any threat to its stability.
During an interview with Al-Arabiya.net, the Tunisian leader said his country will stand by its Gulf Arab neighbors and work to further promote bilateral relations.
“Tunisia will certainly favor its Arab identity in the ongoing conflict within the Arab Gulf,” said Essebsi adding “the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia) is targeted and we have no option but to stand by it and support it.”
Essebsi embarked on a regional tour over the past two months that included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
He stressed that “Gulf States expressed enthusiasm toward supporting Tunisia” and that “the coming days will see a large and important Gulf meeting devoted to plan this support.”
He added that he invited Gulf nationals to invest in Tunisia which would eventually help create job opportunities for Tunisians and create large benefits to Gulf investors, a cooperation that will benefit both sides.
Commenting on the latest developments in Tunisia five years after the revolution, and in light of recent protests in many Tunisian provinces, the Tunisian president said: “We recognize and acknowledge that the situation in Tunisia is very difficult but we have no choice but to overcome it through coming up with solutions appropriate to the country’s situation as well as that of the surrounding area characterized by an economic crisis in Europe - our first economic partner - and by the decline of oil prices in the Gulf States.”
Essebsi also stressed that the current Tunisian government inherited a difficult task but was constantly holding on to maintain the public order. — Al Arabiya.net
