Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki Tunis – Mohammed Saleh The Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki delivered a speech to his people yesterday in regards to the clashes that took place in the vicinity of the American Embassy following the backdrop of the anti-Islam American film. In his speech Marzouki said: “Serious events took place at noon in Tunisia. Violent groups attacked the United States Embassy and caused a state of chaos and tensions that led to the death of two victims and the injury of more than twenty people in addition to heavy material damage. It is not acceptable for such a coward individual, who does not even dare to disclose his identity, to insult our beloved prophet. It is an unbearable matter and cannot be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression and opinion. Freedom is limited to respecting other people’s beliefs.”
An official source of the Tunisian Health Ministry announced the death of two people and the injury of 29 others during the clashes that occurred in the surroundings of the American Embassy between the protestors and the security forces and the Tunisian army. The chaos follows distress over a film made on the Prophet Mohammed, which many Muslims worldwide have deemed as offensive and inappropriate.
The Tunisian President explained: “The whole matter is unacceptable and there will be repercussions on the Tunisian-American relation – and even more so, in particular, America’s relations with the Arab and Islamic world in general. Neither the American government nor the American people bear the responsibility of the behaviour of these few individuals. If we place blame and charge on the American people, they in return, will charge the Tunisian government and its people with terrorist acts, committed by a few individuals. Following a phone call, Mrs Hilary Clinton confirmed her absolute conviction along with US President Obama, to this mean video which caused the recent crisis.”
He continued: “However, the violent acts seen by Tunisia are completely unacceptable. We would have understood the anger and the frustration of the protestors and shared it with them if their demonstrations were peaceful, which is adopted by the law as a right for all Tunisians in their new democratic state. But unfortunately, the destructions, the burnings and the assaults on the representatives of a friendly country, who are guests in our country and supposed to be protected, are denounced and completely unacceptable acts. I confirmed to all American officials that we do not mingle the individual acts, like the one done by the disrespectful person who thought he would be able to insult Muslims, Islam and the honourable Prophet, with the responsibility of the American administration and the tolerance of the American people. I have confidence that the Americans are not confused between the irresponsible violent actions carried out by the demonstrators today and the stance of the Tunisian people.”
Marzouki clarified: “I would like to inform you that we have started to file an international lawsuit against those involved in offending the prophet, in cooperation with our brothers in Egypt. This is an evil plan that aims at igniting hatred amongst people.”
For his part, the leader of Ennahda Movement, Rachid Ghannouchi, expressed his sorrow for the falling of victims among protestors. He affirmed that there were some unknown individuals who were secretly attempting to sabotage the demonstrations. In a statement he said: “The motives of the demonstrations were noble; to protest against the offending film to Prophet Mohammed." He condemned the intention of some protestors to storm the US Embassy, stressing that it is religiously, morally and legally forbidden, adding: "I call on young people to be disciplined and exercise their right within a peaceful protest. They must avoid irresponsible vandalism and looting actions which distort the Tunisian revolution.”