Tunisia police storm Al Jazeera office in Tunis

Security forces involved in the raid said they were carrying out instructions and asked all journalists to leave. “We did not receive any prior notice of the eviction of our office by the security forces,” Lotfi Hajji, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Tunisia, said. “Al Jazeera considers this action by the Tunisian authorities as a troubling escalation and fears it will impede fair and objective coverage of unfolding events in the country,” the network said. “In a world in which the media and journalists face increasing threats, Al Jazeera views this as an attack on press freedom as a whole.” Reporters Without Borders said it “condemns the storming of Al Jazeera’s office in Tunisia and the media’s involvement in political conflicts.” RSF spokesperson Pauline Ades-Mevel told Al Jazeera her team is staying vigilant for any further attacks on media outlets in Tunisia. The presidency said the parliament would be suspended for 30 days, though Saied told reporters the 30-day period can be extended if needed “until the situation settles down.” Saied said he would assume executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister after violent protests broke out in several Tunisian cities over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.