UK £2 Issue 199, Year 4 March 31, 2019 EU €2.50 www.thearabweekly.com Interview Trump’s Tunisian Arab minister brain decision on of women drain the Golan Page 21 Page 20 Page 11 Army opens way for post-Bouteflika era, risky transition ahead in Algeria ► Despite their commitment to far-reaching change, many protest leaders are cautious about what next steps to take. Lamine Ghanmi insufficient to appease large crowds that demanded implementation of Article 7 of the constitution, which Tunis stipulates that “the Algerian peo- ple is the source of political power.” he prospect of Algerian “All that was offered by the re- President Abdelaziz Boutef- gime’s figures, including Gaid lika leaving office when Salah, is dust swept away by the T his term ends April 28 is a wind,” said parliament Member foregone conclusion. Experts said Khaled Tazaghart, from the oppo- Algerian Army Chief of Staff Gener- sition Socialist Forces Front, as he al Ahmed Gaid Salah sealed Boutef- marched in Algiers. “People want lika’s fate when he called on the the whole regime with all its sym- Constitutional Council to declare bols and personnel to go away.” the president unfit for office. There are many possible prob- This recalled previous military lems ahead, including a poten- interventions in Algerian politics tial power vacuum if the military since independence in 1962 that does not implement a transition entrenched a de facto military au- plan before Bouteflika’s term ends tocracy. April 28. There is also the risk of violent confrontations after weeks of The protests started to peaceful protests. “Imagine the show signs of division nightmare scenario that the mili- based on region and of tary would have to face if the im- antagonism between passe pushes millions of Algerians secularists and to clash in the streets with the se- Islamists. curity forces across the country,” said political writer Walid Ait Said. Military leaders used to decide Opposition figure Said Saadi, behind closed doors what course whose views have influenced the the country should take in major protest movement, warned that Closing a chapter. A 2012 file picture shows Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (L) and Army decisions, such as picking the pres- Gaid Salah’s move could “push the Chief of Staff General Ahmed Gaid Salah reviewing an honour guard near Algiers. (AP) ident. Now, however, the military army into the downward spiral of is negotiating a tight curve amid a facing off with the people.” powerful popular movement that The protests started to show be pushed into a new adventure to be adopted by parliament. Opponents are also wary of an keeps it under pressure. signs of division based on region with initiatives that threaten the If Gaid Salah’s proposal gains extended transition period once Gaid Salah sees Article 102 as the and of antagonism between secu- nation’s cohesion like the proposal traction and Bouteflika is found in- Bouteflika leaves office. way “out of the crisis.” larists and Islamists. In Tizi Ouzou, for the creation of a constituent as- capable of governing, the president “The logic says the people must However, some in the opposi- the stronghold of secularists in the sembly,” said constitutional law ex- would be replaced by Senate Presi- end the regime and, after that, the tion said that proposal has come Berber-speaking Kabylie region, pert Fatiha Ben Abbou, who backs dent Abdelkader Bensalah, who people decide what kind of regime too late. “Implementing this article protesters marched for the first the protests. would have 90 days to call presi- they want, with an election agenda has been overtaken by the events. time with signs in which pictures The army must demonstrate cre- dential elections. The vote would following later,” said leftist opposi- It should have been applied years of leading Islamists were combined ativity and imagination to remain occur under the watch of the gov- tion Workers’ Party leader Louisa ago,” said opposition Culture and with those of regime figures. credible with the populace. Only ernment of Prime Minister Noured- Hanoune. Democracy Rally party leader Despite their commitment to Bouteflika’s traditional backers fell dine Bedoui. She said she does not see a long Mohcine Belabbas, in reference to far-reaching change, many protest in line with Gaid Salah’s suggestion Some legal experts and protest transition under the current gov- Bouteflika’s ill health, including a leaders are cautious about what that the Constitutional Council figures say Bensalah cannot be ernment as “a good solution for stroke in 2013. next steps to take. invoke Article 102 of the Algerian interim president because he is a Algeria.” Protesters showed signs of radi- “Safeguarding the unity and Constitution to possibly declare dual Algerian-Moroccan national calisation March 29. Gaid Salah’s the stability of the country is the the president unfit. and the constitution stipulates the Lamine Ghanmi is an Arab Weekly call for the implementation of Ar- most important and crucial issue If approved by the Constitutional Algerian president must be only of correspondent in Tunis. ticle 102 a few days earlier seemed now. It is nonsense for Algeria to Council, the measure would have Algerian nationality. P4 Tunis gets a facelift and Tunisians a dose of optimism at Arab summit Stephen Quillen ing financial crisis and a fractured under the same roof and seeking Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on tions, hundreds of Arab and inter- political scene, the influx of high- to strike compromises on divisive March 28. “We hope that the sum- national media representatives ranking officials and visitors came issues. mit will give an impetus for more travelled to Tunisia to report on Tunis as a welcome change and boon for solidarity and cooperation be- issues pertinent to their respective the economy. tween Arab states.” countries, including the Palestini- unisia’s capital received a Not only were hotels in Tunis The presence of King Salman, an issue, conflicts in Libya, Yemen welcome facelift ahead of and its suburbs at capacity but who arrived a few days before the and Syria and US President Donald the 30th Arab League sum- restaurants, shops and popular summit, reflected deepening ties Trump’s recognition of the Golan T mit, with the city’s roads, venues enjoyed a steady stream between Tunis and Riyadh since Heights as Israeli territory. public parks and main squares ti- of customers who brought in Caid Essebsi’s election in 2014. died up and freshly decorated for revenue for a recovering tour- The Tunisian presidency said the occasion. ism sector. King Salman’s visit was an op- For Tunisia, the influx of Welcome billboards and flags of The country’s hard currency portunity to develop “all areas high-ranking officials the visiting Arab League countries reserves — having steadily de- in the interest of the two broth- and visitors came as a greeted scores of high-level dig- clined for years — rose by three erly peoples.” welcome change and nitaries and thousands of visitors extra days during the week of At the top of Tunisia’s sum- boon for the economy. arriving in Tunis, while security the summit. mit agenda was the conflict in services were put on high alert by The event also offered Tuni- neighbouring Libya. Strife there The central media point was Tu- the Ministry of Interior. sians a respite from the country’s since 2011 has adversely affected nisia’s City of Culture, a 9-hectare Residents joked that Tunisia fractious politics, as local media trade and employment opportuni- downtown arts complex down the should host more summits to en- shifted focus from the domestic ties in Tunisia. road from the Palais des Congres, sure periodic renovation for its scene towards broader regional is- Former Tunisian Foreign Minis- where Arab heads of state con- public spaces, which are often sues. ter Ahmed Ounaies told the Asso- vened for the summit March 31. derided for having fallen into dis- Tunisian leaders said they ciated Press that the summit could array. The city’s upgraded appear- sought to maintain the country’s “Tunisia is renowned for its be a victory for Tunisia, “especial- Stephen Quillen is an Arab ance was not the only cause for traditional position of neutrality moderation and rationalism,” said ly if it manages to advance the po- Weekly correspondent in Tunis. optimism, however. in Arab affairs, taking pride in as- Tunisian President Beji Caid Es- litical process in Libya.” For Tunisia, beset by a linger- sembling so many Arab leaders sebsi as he welcomed Saudi King Apart from visiting state delega- P2-3,6 2 March 31, 2019 Cover Story Arab Summit Tunisia counts on ‘diplomatic rationalism’ to shore up Arab solidarity Lamine Ghanmi Tunis unisia hosted high-ranking officials from across the Arab world for a regional summit T March 31 it hoped would re- build Arab solidarity and strengthen its diplomatic role. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, UN Secretary-General An- tonio Guterres and Arab League Sec- retary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit were among those arriving ahead of the 30th Arab League summit, which sought to address regional crises such as the conflicts in Libya and Yemen and the Palestinian issue Tunisian Foreign Minister Khe- maies Jhinaoui said the choice of Tunisia as the summit site was not “simply good luck” but reflected “Arab leaders’ deep and full convic- tion that Tunisia is a welcoming land that embraces all Arabs.” Strong attendance by Arab lead- ers, he said, was a “testament that Tunisia has regained its position on the Arab world stage. President Beji Caid Essebsi was eager to visit his brothers in various Arab capitals since he became president,” Jhi- naoui said.