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| Africa North |
| Security top priority for new Tunisia government |
| 2014-01-30 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] Tunisia's parliament on Wednesday (January 29th) approved a technocratic caretaker government tasked with leading the country out of a bruising political crisis and into fresh elections, AFP reported. The line-up proposed by Prime Minister-designate Mehdi Jomaa was approved by 149 politicians, with 20 voting against and 24 abstaining. Addressing parliament before the vote on his cabinet, Jomaa reiterated that his top priority was overseeing free elections. He said that in the coming months his cabinet would also tackle the threat posed by the growth of jihadi groups and the social tension caused by unemployment. Jomaa said his government would give special attention to the security file by combating terrorism and allocating necessary capabilities to curb violence, impose the law and prevent incitement for violence and hatred. He added he would work on enhancing co-operation with neighbouring countries to secure border areas by security and army units. Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou, who served in Prime Minister Ali Larayedh's government and was re-appointed in the new administration, said combating terrorism and organised crime would be one of his ministry's priorities. Meanwhile, ...back at the alley, Slats Chumbaloni was staring into a hole that was just .45 inch in diameter and was less than three feet from his face ... Tunisians are expressing their readiness to work alongside the government and support the security forces in their efforts to combat terrorism and crack down on terrorists. "Terrorists move among us and we're closer to discovering them than the security forces," said Ahmed Gharbi, a 38-year-old trader. "Therefore, it's our duty to report any suspicious behaviour, and this a national duty on everyone as the state alone can't shoulder the responsibility in this." Radhia Haddad, a housewife, said, "We're prepared to take part in combating terrorism and helping the security agencies in tracking down the faceless myrmidons and smugglers, cracking down on them, informing the authorities about them and helping the authorities in any attempt to undermine our homeland's security and stability." Citizens' co-operation is one of the most important pillars of security work, noting that this would help establish trust between coppers and citizens, said Khaled Ben Mohammed, a secondary school teacher. In his turn, Abdel Aziz Rtibi, and engineer, said that collaboration with the security forces was the least that could be done to "show our rejection of all forms of terrorism". "A proactive and positive citizen is the one who rises to the occasion in his or her society and whose hands are always stretched out to push his or her country forward," he added. Meanwhile, ...back at the fist fight, Jake ducked another roundhouse, then parried with his left, then with his right, finally with his chin... the interior ministry is depending on citizens' co-operation in its efforts to curb terrorism. It has recently involved them in security operations by issuing communiqués urging them to report any suspicious movements or activities or strange objects and provide information on dangerous terrorist elements. The last of these communiqués was issued on January 22nd, where the interior ministry urged all citizens to provide whatever information they may have on dangerous terrorists. Makrem Boukhriss, a security agent, confirmed that the authorities were depending on citizens. He said the goal behind publishing photos of wanted faceless myrmidons was to expose the jihadists to the public and encourage citizens to report them to authorities, thereby limiting the movements of myrmidons. "The war on terrorism can only be won through the co-operation and vigilance of society," he concluded. "Everyone has a role to play to curb violence and bolster security, and the government is not alone responsible for dealing with the security file." |
| Posted by:Fred |