Opposition figures in Tunisia welcomed the emphasis put by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on "the primacy of law" in the country's public affairs.
Speaking Monday on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Republic, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said, "The republican system is governed by the people's will, within the rule of law. It leaves no room for anyone to consider himself outside the realm of the law, and no room for abuse of power or of authority. For the law is above all, and is the reference for all."
Reacting to the speech, Mr. Mohamed Bouchiha, the head of the People's Unity Party, a centre-left opposition formation, said this emphasis on the rule of law is " a source of great satisfaction as it points to the direction that should be taken by Tunisia in its quest for modernization."
A similar positive reaction was expressed by Mr Ahmed Inoubli, secretary general of the Unionist Democratic Union, a pan-Arabist opposition party.
He said he definitely agreed on the "primacy of the law and the need to apply it to all."
Another salient point in Ben Ali's speech was his "unequivocal" declaration that that there will be no dialogue with any political trend acting under the cover of religion" and that political dialogue should be only with "the parties and organizations that are legally recognized and respectful of the constitution."
Opposition leader Mohamed Bouchiha said he his party supports such a stand considering "the negative impact on political life that can emanate from any attempts at exploiting religion to influence politics."
Both the Tunisian Constitution and the Law on Parties prohibit the formation of political parties based on religion.
Regarding the hosting by Tunisia, next November, of the World Summit on the Information Society, Ben Ali said, in his Monday speech :"We are working to make sure Tunisia is well prepared to host this great event which we proposed to organize and worked for the success of all its stages."
Also, underlining the new prospects created by the adoption of a two-chamber parliamentary system, after the election of the Chamber of Advisors, earlier this month, Ben Ali expressed his "hope this new stage will witness further progress in materializing the principle of participation, establishing stronger channels of dialogue among the country's political components and social partners, and giving greater role to the regions."
Since independence, in 1956, Tunisian Parliament has been composed of one single chamber. With the adoption, this year, of a two-chamber legislative system, Parliament will include a 126-member chamber of advisors beside the already-existing 189 member-Chamber of Deputies.
Tunisia became independent in 1956. It became a Republic on July 25, 1957, putting an end to the Husseinite monarchy which had ruled the country since 1705.
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