Tunisian PM collapses at conference

Beji Caid-Essebsi, Tunisia’s Prime Minister has denied that his political activities are causing a strain on his health. His comments come after he collapsed in the presence of a number of foreign experts at a conference on Social Justice and Resistance to Exclusion in a Time of Democratic Transition. The conference was organised by the Tunisian Ministry of Social Affairs. Essebsi quickly got up on his own, saying that he is “strong and cannot be easily broken.” He added: “I’m human and just like anyone else, one does not only have a slip of the tongue, but sometimes a slip on the floor as well.” The Prime Minister, who is 84, has had health problems for some time. He currently has a swollen left arm and eye, and has recently had surgery. Reports say that Essebsi’s arm was injured after being attacked on September 6th by a protestor as he was leaving his car. Essebsi later described his security guards as monkeys. Essebsi has played an important role in Tunisian politics since the rule of Habib Bourguiba. Observers often compliment him for promoting reconciliation and honouring the National Constituent Assembly’s election date despite the obstacles that he has faced.