Huge march held in Tunis to protest against terrorism

Tunisians have held a mass rally against terrorism attended by tens of thousands of people including some world leaders, as the country is reeling from a recent terror attack that killed close to dozens in the national museum, Press TV reports.

Tens of thousands of Tunisians took to the streets in the capital Tunis on Sunday to protest against terrorism and the spread of hatred in the North African country.

The international march, which was attended by foreign diplomats and world leaders, was organized by the authorities following the March 18 attack by ISIL Takfiri militants on the Bardo museum which left 21 foreign tourists and a Tunisian officer dead.

People turned up in huge numbers to denounce the spread of terror in Tunisia, calling for more unity in the fight against terrorism in the Arab country.

“Tunisia is a Muslim and modern Arab state, this is the identity of this country that will defeat terrorism, we must be united,” the former Tunisian premier, Ali Larayedh, said.

Real help needed

Foreign diplomats and leaders joined Tunisian high-ranking officials in the march to express their support for Tunisia’s war on terror.

However, many Tunisians, including members of the parliament, say Tunisia requires financial help in its fight against terror. They say the country needs real support, instead of empty promises, to succeed in its war against terrorism.

“The parliament took extra measures to accelerate the adoption of anti-terror law. I hope that the foreign leaders and friends of Tunisia who marched and expressed their solidarity today will help Tunisia when it needs more than words and promises to fight terrorism in this country and the rest of the region,” Iyed Dahmani, a legislator in the Tunisian parliament, told Press TV.

During the rally, thousands of citizens expressed concerns over the presence of terror cells in Tunisia. However, security forces reassured protesters that they will not tolerate any terrorist activity on the Tunisian soil.

“The support of the Tunisians to the security forces must continue. We will eradicate the roots of terrorism. This, of course, has no place in Tunisia,” a protester said.

Tunisia’s Interior Ministry has declared that the anti-terror brigade, national guard units and the army are on alert across the country to neutralize terror cells. Authorities deployed around 10,000 officers to secure the Sunday march to prevent any attack.

Military forces carried out an anti-terror operation earlier Sunday, killing nine Takfiri militants in the central city of Gafsa. Reports say the militants were members of the so-called Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade, which is believed to be behind the recent deadly attack on the national museum.

MS/MHB/AS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk