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Tunisia can only afford neutrality in Qatar crisis

Tunisia has officially remained neutral in the Qatari-Gulf crisis given its economic relations with the two main parties involved.
Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi (R), Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (C) and President of the Assembly of People's Representatives Mohamed Ennaceur attend the opening of international investment conference Tunisia 2020, in Tunis, Tunisia November 29, 2016. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - RTSTT1D
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The ruling coalition of Ennahda and Nidaa Tunis has adopted a neutral stance in the Gulf crisis triggered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severing diplomatic relations with Qatar on June 5 and imposing a land and air blockade against it.

Abdelkarim Harooni, chairman of the Shura Council of Ennahda, the majority party in parliament, described Saudi Arabia's application of pressure in the Gulf as a painful step in terms of Riyadh's attempt to exert influence and be recognized as regional leader.

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