No Israel ties in Tunisia reform pact

No Israel ties in Tunisia reform pact

2011/07/03

Tunisia's High Commission for Political Reforms and Democratic Transition says it has adopted a 'pact of reform' which prohibits normalization of relations with Zionist regime. Ayadh Ben Achour, the president of the commission announced the adoption of the agreement without giving further details on its contents, AFP reported on Friday. The pact will provide the basis for a new constitution in the North African country. The document also states that Tunisia is a democratic country, its language is Arabic and its religion is Islam. It further says that Tunisia supports the Palestinian cause on top of refusing ties with Zionist regime. Tunisians are expected to elect an assembly in October to draft a new constitution. At least 147 people were killed and 510 left injured during the Tunisian 'Jasmine Revolution' that unseated Ben Ali in January after a 23-year-long authoritarian rule, according to the United Nations. On January 14, Ben Ali fled the North African country to the Saudi port city of Jeddah. There are unconfirmed claims that the deposed Tunisian dictator has gone into a coma in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke. Riots and protests broke out in Tunisia following the self-immolation of a 26-year-old fruit vendor, identified as Muhammad Bouazizi, who set himself on fire after police confiscated his merchandise.