Tunisian President condemns cultural attack

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki condemned the arson attack on the the famous Sufi mausoleum Sidi Bou Said, describing it as a criminal act. In a statement, the President's office, denounced the attack on one of Tunisia's most important cultural and religious heritages, adding that it was an attempt to shake the stability of the Sidi Bou Said region and provoke local people. The statement called for the perpetrators to be punished immediately to put an end to such repeated crimes. It also called for security services to exert all possible efforts to ensure better security at Tunisia's cultural and religious sites. The Presidency expressed full sympathy with the people Sidi Bou Said, pledging to contribute to the reform of the mausoleum. Citizens were urged to remain calm and to not respond to "preachers of hate" who only seek to stir up sedition among people.