Ruling Troika of An-Nahda, Ettakatol, Congress for the Republic (CPR) met 13 Oct, agreed on semi-parliamentary system of govt with elected head of state, announced June 2013 parliamentary and presidential elections, after An-Nahda abandoned demand for constitutional criminalisation of attacks on religion. Arson attack 16 Oct on Sufi shrine blamed on Salafists; local leader of secular Nida Tounes party killed 18 Oct during clash between secularists, pro-govt Islamists in Tatouine. Thousands demonstrated in Tunis 22 Oct against killing, govt failure to stem Islamist violence. Hardline Salafis 27 Oct clashed with alcohol sellers in Tunis. Arrest of Salafi Islamist accused of assaulting head of Manouba’s public security brigade reportedly led to retaliatory attack on Tunis police station 30 Oct, 1 Salafi reported killed; ensuing clashes prompted deployment of security forces, extension of national State of Emergency to Jan 2013. Election anniversary 23 Oct also saw demonstrations against ruling coalition. Tunisian national arrested in Turkey for links to Sept attack on U.S. consulate in Libya repatriated to Tunisia 11 Oct, charged with terrorism. Court 24 Oct sentenced Islamist Ansar al-Sharia member Abu Ayab to 1 year in jail for inciting Sept attack on U.S. embassy in Tunis; group’s leader Abu Iyadh 23 Oct accused govt of being un-Islamic, U.S. puppet. Media workers 17 Oct began strike over govt interference; govt same day issued 2 decrees aimed at protecting press freedoms.

4 killed, 46 injured 14 Sept in attack on U.S. embassy and American school in Tunis over controversial anti-Islam film. Hundreds demonstrated 20 Sept against protestor violence; govt 21 Sept banned all demonstrations. Salafist leader Saif-Allah Benahssine 17 Sept escaped attempted arrest over attacks. 4 police officers arrested 10 Sept for death of prisoner. President Marzouki’s former aide Ayoub Massoudi received suspended prison sentence 22 Sept for insulting army. Protests planned after couple who made rape allegation against 2 police officers charged 26 Sept with public indecency.

Month saw countrywide protests: over 6,000 protested 13 Aug against language in new draft constitution defining gender roles; 14 Aug general strike in Sidi Bouzid called for release of protesters detained during previous demonstrations, court 15 Aug released protesters; 5 killed 16 Aug when Salafis attacked music, theatre festival, clashed with police. Sfax Hospital strike culminated in violent confrontations between police, protesters mid-Aug. Interior Ministry 16 Aug confirmed Ayoub Massoudi, former aide to President Marzouki, to be tried after criticising army; arrest warrant issued 24 Aug for TV channel director Fehri over satirical govt show.

Military court 19 July sentenced in absentia former president Ben Ali to life imprisonment, former interior minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem, former security chief Ali Seriati, 38 security officials to up to 20 years jail over deaths of protesters during revolution. Ennahda 12 July held first congress in country in 24 years; 16 July re-elected Rached Ghannouchi as party chief. Anti-corruption minister Mohammed Abbou 1 July resigned after accusing govt of failing to do enough to combat corruption. Govt 18 July granted license to Islamist group Hizb al-Tahrir allowing it to become legal political party. National Body for the Reform of Information and Communication 4 July announced it was disbanding over govt censorship.

Month saw mounting political crisis caused by 24 June extradition of former Libyan PM Mahmoudi to Libya; President Marzouki 25 June said extradition “illegal”, decision taken without consultation, rebuked PM Jebali for allowing the extradition; 75 parliamentarians 27 June signed motion for no-confidence vote in Ennahda-led govt. Salafists 11-12 June clashed with police after defacing controversial art exhibition in Tunis, over 100 arrested; govt 13 June condemned rioting as acts of terrorism, 3-15 June imposed night time curfew. Military court 13 June sentenced in absentia ousted president Ben Ali to 20 years imprisonment on charges including incitement to murder. Former PM Beji Caid Sebsi 16 June launched new secularist political party Nida Tunisia. Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri 10 June called on Tunisians to defend Islamic law.

Head of Constituent Assembly Ben Jaafar 11 May announced 23 Oct deadline for drafting new constitution. Court 3 May fined head of Nessma television station Nabil Karoui for broadcasting film depicting God; FM Abdessalem warned against foreign interference in justice system after U.S. criticism of verdict. Court 2 May sentenced 2 policemen to 20 years in prison for killing protester in 2011 uprising. President Marzouki 4 May issued decree extending state of emergency throughout country until late July. Congress for the Republic (CPR) Secretary-General Ayadi 9 May announced his separation from CPR along with 11 others; 16 May established Independent Democratic Congress. Govt 11 May recognised Islah (Reform) Front, first Salafist party. In violent campaign against alcohol sales, Salafists 19 May burned bars in Sidi Bouzid. Protests 26 May in Jendouba against arrest of 4 Muslims following attack on alcohol sellers turned violent as Salafists clashed with police.

Polarisation between pro- and anti-Ennahda forces continued with violent repression by security forces of 9 April “Martyr’s Day” demonstration. Security forces, pro-ruling coalition “militias” violently dispersed protest by unemployed youths in Rades. Islamist, left-wing student organisations 6 April clashed at Manar University. New centre-right Republican Party created 7 April following fusion of 7 parties, including Progressive Democratic Party.

Rift between Salafists and secularists worsened as militant Salafists and labour union activists 11 March clashed in Jendouba; Salafist group 8 March replaced Tunisian flag with radical Islamist flag at Manouba University, clashed with students. Constitutional consultations in National Constituent Assembly 16 March sparked 5,000-8,000-strong demonstration by Gathering of Tunisian Islamic Associations demanding adoption of Sharia law as sole source of legislation; thousands 20 March demonstrated in Tunis against establishment of Islamic state; Ennahda leadership late March said party would oppose Sharia in constitution.

Salafists and security forces clashed 1 Feb in Sfax, 21 Feb in Jendouba. 13 parties 11 Feb formed “Tunisian National Party” coalition to oppose Ennahda. National Constituent Assembly 13 Feb began drafting new constitution. Police, protesters 16 Feb clashed in north following arrest of Monaem Darragi, Secretary-General of Tunisian Workers’ Union (UTT). Defense Minister Zbidi called for further U.S. assistance in guarding borders following 15 Feb meeting with U.S. to discuss increased training, logistical support. Interior Minister Larayedh 13 Feb announced arrest of 12 suspects allegedly linked to Islamic extremist cell affiliated with al-Qaeda; President Marzouki 24 Feb hosted inaugural meeting of “Friends of Syria” in Tunis; 28 Feb offered Syrian President al-Assad asylum (see Syria).

First anniversary of revolution celebrated 14 Jan but economic and security conditions continued to deteriorate, with increasing economic conflicts and widespread protests in the countryside throughout Jan. 6 day strike 13 Jan in mountain town of Makhtar inspired further protests; Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) 25 Jan staged nationwide strike, protesters in northwest 17 Jan blocked national road to demand higher wages. Students at Manouba University, Tunis, 17-24 Jan staged hunger strike, sit in, to protest ban on niqab in exams. Over 8,000 marched in Tunis 28 Jan against Islamist extremism.