Saied rejects 'US meddling' in Tunis affairs during meeting with US congress members

Tunisia's President Kais Saied rejected the US officials' "unacceptable" criticism of his policies and their "meddling in Tunisia's internal affairs".

"The recent remarks by some officials are unacceptable as Tunisia is free and sovereign, and sovereignty rests in the hands of its people who expressed their will through the referendum," Saied said, according to a statement published late Sunday on the presidency's Facebook page.

Saied's comments came during a meeting with US congress members at the Carthage Presidential Palace, near the capital Tunis.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ambassador to Tunisia nominee Joey Hood and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have all publicly criticised Saied's controversial constitution.

Saied's constitution, which passed in a referendum last month with a 30.5 per cent turnout, gives the president unchecked powers.

In response, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry summoned Natasha Franceschi, US chargé d’affaires in Tunis, last month.

During his meeting with the delegation from the United States, Saied also criticised the terms certain parties use when discussing the decade since the Arab uprising began and the political situation in the region.

"Democracy can only be achieved under social justice and with an independent, as well as just judiciary in which everyone is equal," he said.

President Saied launched Sunday's meeting by "citing two centuries of Tunisian-US ties" before the two parties discussed the common desire to strengthen ties. 

On the other hand, the US embassy in Tunis said members of the delegation had raised concerns about the North African country's democratic trajectory and urged the president to be more inclusive in his policies. 

"Members of the delegation (...) urged the swift adoption of an inclusive electoral law that facilitates the broadest possible participation in the upcoming legislative elections," a US embassy statement said.

In June 2021, Saied ousted the government, suspended the parliament and assumed executive authority in moves which opponents have described as a "coup".

Three months later, he appointed a government that opponents argue had no say in the country's politics under Saeid's authority.

Last week, Saied announced that a new electoral law will be passed before Tunisia's legislative elections on December 17.