Tunisian President’s Suspension of Parliament Gets Mixed Reaction

CAIRO - Tunisia's Islamist al Nahda Party is calling President Kais Saied's suspension of parliament a "coup" and urging a broad "dialogue," while other political parties and leaders appear divided on his decision.

A number of trade syndicates, including the Labor Federation, say they support the move so long as it does not last more than a month. Tunisian state TV reported that the situation inside the country was calm Tuesday following Saied's decision Sunday to suspend parliament. It said Tunisians were largely obeying a curfew that forbids more than three people from gathering in the streets during the night. Most government institutions, with the exception of security forces, interior ministry and customs, were also suspended for several days. The president met with political and trade union leaders to discuss his next move, amid calls by some for a well-defined "road-map."