Mass rally for Ennahda party in Tunisia

Supporters of Tunisia’s Islamic Ennahda movement held a march in central Tunis Saturday to show their support for the ruling party. The rally, titled Defending Electoral Legitimacy, was to highlight Ennahda's majority during the recent elections and fend off criticism from opposition parties who have accused the Islamist group of involvement in the assassination of left-wing politician Chokri Belaid. Thousands of Ennahda supporters rallied in the Tunisian capital, raising banners to support the Islamist movement, and chanting slogans against the previous regime. Tunisian parliamentarian and member of Ennahda party al-Habib al-Lawz initially called the march, asking supporters to show their confidence in Tunisia's ruling troika government. Speaking at the rally, he condemned those calling for the dissolution of Constituent Council and overthrow of the government. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Rafik Abdul Salam, a leading member of Ennahda party, said that his movement won an electoral majority after 20 years of suppression and persecution. He expressed confidence that the party would retain power after the upcoming elections.