Tunisia chaos 'a warning the rest of Arab region must heed'

ARAB leaders have heard an uncompromising message from the head of the Arab League to heed the economic and political problems that sparked Tunisia's upheaval because public anger had hit an unprecedented level.

• Picture: AFP

Widespread public protests in Tunisia - prompted by high prices, a lack of jobs and political repression - toppled the country's president of 23 years, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Arab populations across the Middle East and North Africa complain about the same issues that beset Tunisia and have been mesmerised by TV images of an autocrat being ejected from office by street action - events not seen in the region for decades.

Speaking at an Arab League economic summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort yesterday, Amr Moussa said: "What is happening in Tunisia in terms of the revolution is not an issue far from the issues of this summit, which is economic and social development.

"The Arab citizen has entered a stage of anger that is unprecedented. I am certain that achieving full development that is tangible to the Arab citizens will relieve our societies of these challenges."

Officials in Arab countries have played down the prospects that events in Tunisia could spread. Egypt's president did not directly mention Tunisia in his speech, although he broadly called for economic development. Kuwait's emir called for national unity in Tunisia.

Yet thousands of ordinary people have demonstrated in Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Oman, Libya and Yemen recently over the economic situation in their countries, some explicitly in solidarity with the Tunisians.

Egypt's foreign minister said later that the economic summit was not meant to tackle Tunisia's political issues.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: "The Arab economic and social development summit does not seek to tackle any political issues."

Analysts say events in Tunisia have unsettled entrenched Arab rulers with their image of governments with military backing being immune to discontent.

Mr Moussa, an Egyptian who has a habit of making blunt assertions in a region better known for often bafflingly discreet diplomacy, said before the summit that Tunisia should not be seen as an isolated case and a lesson should be learned.

"It is on everyone's mind that the Arab self is broken by poverty, unemployment and a general slide in indicators," he said, referring to Tunisian events as an example of "big social shocks" facing many Arab societies.

"This is in addition to political problems that have not been resolved," he said.

In Tunisia yesterday, the government announced it had freed the last political prisoners of its fallen strongman as the caretaker leadership faced more calls for a fuller purge of the old guard from the fledgling national unity coalition. Those released included members of the banned Islamist movement Ennahda.

Appearing on state TV last night, interim president Fouad Mebazza promised to deliver a "complete break with the past", saying political parties would be separated from the state.He added that "a total break between the parties and the state" would be one of the government's priorities.

Hundreds of protesters had earlier again demonstrated in Tunis to demand the dismissal of former Ben Ali loyalists from the new government.

Prime minister Mohamed Ghannouch - who was in power under Ben Ali - is due to hold a first cabinet meeting today.

Four opposition figures quit the government within a day of being appointed, saying protesters were disappointed at how many old faces were kept on.