Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – The country of Tunisia was rocked by back-to-back episodes this week. On Thursday, June 27, 92-year-old President Essebsi was hospitalized after experiencing a “severe health crisis.”
Earlier that day the country suffered twin suicide bombings in its capital, Tunis. The attacks left one dead and multiple injured.
Despite initial false reports that Essebsi had died, his staff claimed Friday, June 28, that the president is recovering.
“The health situation of the President is in a remarkable improvement,” said presidency spokesperson Said Guarach in a statement to Reuters.
According to Guarach, Essebsi’s condition had improved enough for the president to discuss recent events with members of his cabinet.
“The President held a telephone call this morning with the Minister of Defence about the general situation in the country,” reported Guarach.
Essebsi, Tunisia’s first democratically-elected leader, is recovering after he was taken to a military hospital Thursday afternoon. His condition was described as critical but stable.
It was the second time this week that the President had been hospitalized. Earlier in the week, Essebsi was admitted to a hospital for a series of routine tests.
Prime Minister Youssef Chahed reassured his fellow Tunisians that the President was in good hands.
“The President of the Republic is in the process of receiving all the necessary attention he needs,” Chahed posted on Facebook, Thursday, June 27.
Only hours before the President’s hospitalization, a pair of coordinated terrorist attacks struck the capital city of Tunis.
Read also: Former Tunisian President Blames Algeria for Hostility with Morocco
The bombings, which targeted security forces, killed one police officer and injured at least eight others, including civilians. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attacks, but offered no evidence.
Despite a previous suicide bombing in October of 2018, Tunisia has not experienced the same levels of unrest as some other countries in the region following the Arab Spring uprisings that began in 2011.
Initial reports mistakenly claimed President Essebsi had died following his hospitalization Thursday.
“Please do not be misled by rumors. The president’s condition is stable,” Key adviser to the President, Firas Guefrech said yesterday on Twitter.
