Marzouki holds new talks for Tunisian reconciliation

Marzouki is hosting talks until Thursday to prepare for elections Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahda Movement, has agreed to join a conference designed to deepen national dialogue, including Call of Tunisia party leader and former Tunisian Prime Minister, Beji Caid Essebsi. Ghannouchi announced the meeting would address problems emerging from Tunisia's transitional period in an attempt to prepare an appropriate atmosphere for transparent and fair elections, he said, following a meeting with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki on Wednesday evening.
Former PM Beji Caid Essebsi reportedly refused to comment on the remarks.
The news comes as President Moncef Marzouki holds a series of talks with political leaders through Wednesday and Thursday, attempting to reach a new national consensus and ease the running of both the government and the country’s National Constituent Assembly.
On Wednesday Marzouki met with Republican Party members Maya Jribi and Néjib Chebbi, Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi, Secretary-General of the Congress for the Republic Mohamed Abbou and leader of the National Alliance, Mohamed Jegham.
Meetings will continue on Thursday with leader of Al Massar, Ahmed Brahim, leader of the Workers’ Party and spokesman for the Popular Front, Hamma Hammami as well as other Tunisian politicians.
Decisive negotiations on an impending cabinet reshuffle, particularly those regarding ministerial positions, were reportedly postponed until Thursday, according to well-informed sources speaking to Arabstoday.
Sources meanwhile confirmed that Ennahda and Congress for the Republic party members again refused to welcome Call of Tunisia into government.
Leader of the Congress Party Hadi Bel Abbes declared that the new reshuffle will be announced by the end of the week. “Major changes” were expected, he claimed.
Tunisian diplomats meanwhile met with Libyan officials in Tripoli, Libya, in an attempt to coordinate security efforts between Tunisia and its neighbours. Libyan Interior Minister Ashour Shuwail welcomed his Tunisian colleague, Ali Laarayedh, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral security cooperation.
The meeting reportedly renewed commitments both countries signed on in an agreement on January 29 last year relating to building national civil defence sectors and incorporating security forces within police ranks.
Algeria’s elected assembly also approved a bill adjusting the country’s maritime border with Tunisia, in an attempt to secure increasingly insecure borders between the two neighbouring countries.
The Algerian agreement stipulates a final demarcation of the maritime boundary between Algeria and Tunisia, giving each side “complete sovereignty” over its respective region. It also includes terms of cooperation in exchanging information as well as the exploitation of natural resources near new demarcation lines.
The agreement has been seen as an attempt to bury disagreement between the two countries, through peaceful and diplomatic means according to international law.