Tunisian president dismisses Paris and Milan consuls, orders audits

President Kais Saied directed the Foreign Ministry to perform an in-depth financial and administrative probe into two consulates.

President Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and assumed exceptional powers on July 25.
AP

President Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and assumed exceptional powers on July 25.

The Tunisian presidency has dismissed the country's consuls in Paris and Milan and ordered financial audits at the European missions.

President Kais Saied "instructed the foreign ministry to proceed with an in-depth financial and administrative check" at the two consulates, an official statement published on Facebook said on Sunday.

Saied will replace Paris consul general Taher Arbaoui with Ridha Gharsallaoui, who is close to the head of state and had been serving as interior minister.

A former national security adviser to the presidency, Gharsallaoui was named minister on July 29, taking over from former premier Hichem Mechichi, who held the portfolio.

The presidency has said that 10 ambassadors, including to Berlin, Ankara, Beijing and Doha, and six consuls are completing their missions, a move formalising the end of their terms in August.

READ MORE: Why is anti-Saied sentiment on the rise in Tunisia?

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Full political power initiatives

On September 22, Saeid suspended parts of the constitution and installed rule by decree, maintaining full control of the judiciary as well as powers to sack ministers and issue laws.

Saied sacked the government, suspended parliament and assumed exceptional powers on July 25, citing an "imminent threat" to the country.

READ MORE: Is Tunisia's Kais Saied turning back the clock on the country's democracy?

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