Tens of thousands chanted anti-Ennahda slogans in the streets of Tunisia’s capital for the burial procession of a slain opposition leader whose murder plunged the country into a political crisis and fresh post-revolution violence.
Crowds surged around an open army truck carrying Belaid’s coffin, draped in a red and white Tunisian flag, from a cultural centre in the slain leader’s home district of Jebel al-Jaloud. “Belaid, rest in peace, we will continue the struggle,” they changed, holding portraits of Belaid – who was shot dead outside his home on Wednesday by a gunman who escaped on the back of a motorcycle.
Some shouted slogans against Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the ruling Ennahda party. “Ghannouchi, assassin, criminal,” they chanted. “Tunisia is free, terrorism out.” Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Janabi, reporting from Tunis, said supporters of Ennahda had gathered outside parliament. They said they had come out to ‘defend the revolution’ and denounce the assassination of Belaid. “We are here to say that Islamist parties did not assassinate Belaid,” one demonstrator said. “We hold Tunisian media responsible for planting the idea that Islamists are behind the killing. Until now, the media is supported by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s supporters.”
General strike: The capital was at near standstill amid a general strike called by the North African country’s biggest union to protest his murder, blamed by the opposition on the ruling party, Ennahda. Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Tunis, said the strike “is already causing loads of problems. Tunis air has suspended all flights – the airport remains open but most of the international flights are affected, public transportation is at a minimum, shops are closed and supporters of the union are already rallying in the square.
“A big army force is out to prevent any clashes between protesters… This is the biggest concern, to have casualties. It could plunge Tunisia back into more violence and uncertainty.” Belaid’s widow has insisted that women should be allowed to attend the funeral – which is unusual in Tunisia. One of the slain opposition leader’s daughters fainted in chaotic and emotional scenes as the funeral religious prepared to set off in a 10km procession to the cemetery. Tunisian police fired teargas to disperse anti-government protesters throwing stones and petrol bombs in the mining town of Gafsa, witnesses said.
Secular versus religious: Tunisia has a long-established secular tradition which has been countered by the rise of one of the region’s most powerful Islamist parties. “The growing rift between religious and secular parties is creating political deadlock,” Ahelbarra said. “All the pressing issues like the drafting of a new constitution and setting a final date for the elections are likely to be delayed until a deal is reached. The police and army have been put on alert to prevent any outbreaks of violence and to “deal with any troublemakers”, the presidential spokesman Adnan Mancer announced late on Thursday. The strike comes on the back of Ennahda rejecting Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali’s proposal to dissolve the government and install a cabinet of technocrats in a bid to restore calm after Shokri’s assassination.
“The seculars are concerned, saying that Ennahda should not build an autocratic system, while the party says they have entered a coalition with seculars. But the problem is not everyone here buys into that rhetoric,” Ahelbarra reported. “They are calling for Ennahda to dissolve the government and install a technocratic system otherwise they will continue to fight.”
