'The country or the force recognised as safe from the pandemic will gain power' says Youssef Chahed, Former Chief of Government, Tunisia.

WION Global Summit | Youssef Chahed's remarks

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab face veil in public institutions "for security reasons" an official source told Reuters on Friday.

The decision follows Tuesday's suicide bombing in Tunis by a wanted militant.

It was the third such incident within a week and came as <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-boat-with-86-on-board-sinks-off-tunisia-4-rescued-233077&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwis_6bN6Z3jAhVxguYKHTx3CAoQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sGUaGaPDQOLExzJTTJv02">Tunisia </a>prepares for autumn elections and at the peak of a tourist season in which the country hopes to draw a record number of visitors.

Islamic State has claimed all three attacks.

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab face veil in public institutions "for security reasons" an official source told Reuters on Friday.

Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has banned the wearing of the niqab face veil in public institutions "for security reasons" an official source told Reuters on Friday. The decision follows Tuesday's suicide bombing in Tunis by a wanted militant. It was the third such incident within a week and came as Tunisia prepares for autumn elections and at the peak of a tourist season in which the country hopes to draw a record number of visitors. Islamic State has claimed all three attacks.

Tunisian PM Youssef Chahed bans wearing of niqab in public institutions

Tunisia's health minister has resigned after the sudden deaths of 11 newborn babies at a state maternity hospital sparked an outcry in the country, the government said.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed accepted Abderraouf Cherif's resignation, the premier's office said on Facebook late on Saturday.

"Those responsible for any negligence will face legal proceedings," the prime minister said at the maternity hospital in the capital late Saturday, according to a video released by his office.

Leading newspaper Essafa on Sunday cried foul and compared the deaths of the babies to a "state crime".

A medical association said the sudden deaths could have been caused by a food product that had gone bad.

The babies died Thursday and Friday at the Rabta clinic in Tunis, which is part of a large medical centre in the capital.

Since then authorities have launched several investigations, including medical and hygiene checks by the health ministry, which was also probing the management of the hospital pharmacy.

Prosecutors said they had opened a judicial inquiry into the deaths.

The Tunisian paediatrics society wrote in a statement on Facebook that "elements of the ongoing investigation" pointed to an infection caused by a food product given by gastric tube.

The association called on the authorities to "shed light" on the situation and recalled the "precarious conditions in which health professionals work".

The health ministry said in a statement that "preventive measures and treatment have been taken to avoid other victims and to ensure the health of other babies in the maternity ward".

The independent Tunisian Forum of Economic and Social Rights had called on the health minister to resign over the deaths.

The public health system, once a source of pride in Tunisia, has been hit by management and financial problems that lowered standards and caused drug shortages.

Tunisia's health minister has resigned after the sudden deaths of 11 newborn babies at a state maternity hospital sparked an outcry in the country, the government said.

Tunisia's health minister has resigned after the sudden deaths of 11 newborn babies at a state maternity hospital sparked an outcry in the country, the government said. Prime Minister Youssef Chahed accepted Abderraouf Cherif's resignation, the premier's office said on Facebook late on Saturday. "Those responsible for any negligence will face legal proceedings," the prime minister said at the maternity hospital in the capital late Saturday, according to a video released by his office. Leading newspaper Essafa on Sunday cried foul and compared the deaths of the babies to a "state crime". A medical association said the sudden deaths could have been caused by a food product that had gone bad. The babies died Thursday and Friday at the Rabta clinic in Tunis, which is part of a large medical centre in the capital. Since then authorities have launched several investigations, including medical and hygiene checks by the health ministry, which was also probing the management of the hospital pharmacy. Prosecutors said they had opened a judicial inquiry into the deaths. The Tunisian paediatrics society wrote in a statement on Facebook that "elements of the ongoing investigation" pointed to an infection caused by a food product given by gastric tube. The association called on the authorities to "shed light" on the situation and recalled the "precarious conditions in which health professionals work". The health ministry said in a statement that "preventive measures and treatment have been taken to avoid other victims and to ensure the health of other babies in the maternity ward". The independent Tunisian Forum of Economic and Social Rights had called on the health minister to resign over the deaths. The public health system, once a source of pride in Tunisia, has been hit by management and financial problems that lowered standards and caused drug shortages.

Tunisian health minister quits over deaths of newborns

More than 50 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean&nbsp;on Sunday, the majority off the coasts of Tunisia and Turkey, while Italy marked a sea change in its policy.

Tunisian authorities said 48 bodies were recovered off the country's southern coast, close to the city of Sfax, while 68 people were rescued.

"The boat had a maximum capacity of 75 to 90 people, but there were more than 180 of us," said Wael Ferjani, a Tunisian survivor from the southern region of Gabes.

While water leaked into the boat, some passengers jumped into the sea and drowned, he told AFP.

The latest death toll was published around&nbsp;7:00 pm&nbsp;(1800 GMT), after the search and rescue operation had ended for the day.

The hunt for survivors would continue&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;morning, Mohammed Salah Sagaama from Sfax's naval base told AFP.

Tunisians and migrants regularly try to cross the Mediterranean to seek a better future in Europe, with 120 mainly Tunisians rescued by their navy in March after trying to reach Italy.

In October, a collision between a migrant boat and a Tunisian military ship left at least 44 dead, in what Prime Minister Youssef Chahed called a "national disaster".

The latest shipwreck is the most deadly in the Mediterranean since&nbsp;February 2&nbsp;when 90 people drowned off the coast of Libya, according to the IOM.

Across the Mediterranean, nine Syrians including seven children drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Turkey.

The group were travelling in a speedboat intending to head illegally to Europe when the boat hit trouble off the coast of the southern Antalya province, state media reports said.

The oldest child to drown was 14 and the youngest just three, according to the Anadolu news agency.

Six adults were reportedly rescued including a couple who lost five of their children in the disaster.

Turkey was the main sea route for migrants to Europe in 2015 when more than a million people crossed to Greece.

That year 3,771 people were recorded as dead or missing in the Mediterranean by the United Nations refugee agency.

So far this year, 32,601 migrants and refugees have survived the sea crossing and 649 have been recorded as dead or missing.

A deal struck with the EU in 2016 has drastically reduced the amount of people trying to make the sea crossing, although observers say the numbers have been ticking up again in recent months.

The focal point for Mediterranean migration in recent years has been Italy, where more than 700,000 migrants have arrived since 2013.

On Sunday&nbsp;the country's new hardline interior minister, Matteo Salvini, headed to Sicily, one of the main landing points for those rescued at sea, to push his anti-immigration agenda.

His predecessor signed a controversial deal with authorities and militias in Libya -- the key departure point on the route to Italy -- which has driven down overall arrival numbers by 75 per cent since last summer.

But Salvini has pledged to go further still, vowing to cut the number of arrivals and speed up deportations.

"The good times for illegals is over -- get ready to pack your bags," he said&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;at a rally in Italy's north.

The latest arrivals, some 158 people, were rescued by a humanitarian boat and reached southern Sicily&nbsp;on Friday.

Meanwhile, Spanish maritime rescue units said&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;they have picked up 240 migrants since the start of the weekend, with one person reported drowned.

Migration will be high on the agenda&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;when EU interior ministers meet in Luxembourg and discuss the bloc's contested Dublin rule, under which would-be refugees must file for asylum in the first member country they enter.

Many of those landing on the Mediterranean coast see their arrival point as a pathway to their final destination, but the Dublin rule and tightening border checks have meant migrants are increasingly stuck in southern Europe.

Tunisian authorities said 48 bodies were recovered off the country's southern coast, close to the city of Sfax, while 68 people were rescued

More than 50 migrants drowned in the Mediterranean on Sunday, the majority off the coasts of Tunisia and Turkey, while Italy marked a sea change in its policy. Tunisian authorities said 48 bodies were recovered off the country's southern coast, close to the city of Sfax, while 68 people were rescued. "The boat had a maximum capacity of 75 to 90 people, but there were more than 180 of us," said Wael Ferjani, a Tunisian survivor from the southern region of Gabes. While water leaked into the boat, some passengers jumped into the sea and drowned, he told AFP. The latest death toll was published around 7:00 pm (1800 GMT), after the search and rescue operation had ended for the day. The hunt for survivors would continue on Monday morning, Mohammed Salah Sagaama from Sfax's naval base told AFP. Tunisians and migrants regularly try to cross the Mediterranean to seek a better future in Europe, with 120 mainly Tunisians rescued by their navy in March after trying to reach Italy. In October, a collision between a migrant boat and a Tunisian military ship left at least 44 dead, in what Prime Minister Youssef Chahed called a "national disaster". The latest shipwreck is the most deadly in the Mediterranean since February 2 when 90 people drowned off the coast of Libya, according to the IOM. Across the Mediterranean, nine Syrians including seven children drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Turkey. The group were travelling in a speedboat intending to head illegally to Europe when the boat hit trouble off the coast of the southern Antalya province, state media reports said. The oldest child to drown was 14 and the youngest just three, according to the Anadolu news agency. Six adults were reportedly rescued including a couple who lost five of their children in the disaster. Turkey was the main sea route for migrants to Europe in 2015 when more than a million people crossed to Greece. That year 3,771 people were recorded as dead or missing in the Mediterranean by the United Nations refugee agency. So far this year, 32,601 migrants and refugees have survived the sea crossing and 649 have been recorded as dead or missing. A deal struck with the EU in 2016 has drastically reduced the amount of people trying to make the sea crossing, although observers say the numbers have been ticking up again in recent months. The focal point for Mediterranean migration in recent years has been Italy, where more than 700,000 migrants have arrived since 2013. On Sunday the country's new hardline interior minister, Matteo Salvini, headed to Sicily, one of the main landing points for those rescued at sea, to push his anti-immigration agenda. His predecessor signed a controversial deal with authorities and militias in Libya -- the key departure point on the route to Italy -- which has driven down overall arrival numbers by 75 per cent since last summer. But Salvini has pledged to go further still, vowing to cut the number of arrivals and speed up deportations. "The good times for illegals is over -- get ready to pack your bags," he said Saturday at a rally in Italy's north. The latest arrivals, some 158 people, were rescued by a humanitarian boat and reached southern Sicily on Friday. Meanwhile, Spanish maritime rescue units said Sunday they have picked up 240 migrants since the start of the weekend, with one person reported drowned. Migration will be high on the agenda Tuesday when EU interior ministers meet in Luxembourg and discuss the bloc's contested Dublin rule, under which would-be refugees must file for asylum in the first member country they enter. Many of those landing on the Mediterranean coast see their arrival point as a pathway to their final destination, but the Dublin rule and tightening border checks have meant migrants are increasingly stuck in southern Europe.

More than 50 migrants die in Mediterranean crossings

The Tunisian parliament won a confidence vote and approved the unity government of Youssef Chahed late on Friday, bringing an end to three months of intense negotiations.&nbsp; 
 
The unity government was backed by 167 members of the 217-seat parliament. It is set to take office in the coming days.&nbsp; 
 
The vote on the new government comes as the North African country grapples with lower tourism revenues and security challenges amid a wave of jihadist attacks on foreign tourists last year.&nbsp; 
 
Chahed&rsquo;s cabinet will comprise members from the Islamist Ennahda party, and will also include eight women and 14 &ldquo;young&rdquo; ministers.&nbsp; 
 
Earlier this month, Chahed was named as the next prime minister after his predecessor, Habib Essid, was dismissed in a no-confidence motion following just 18 months in office. &nbsp; 
 
Essid&rsquo;s government has drawn flak for his failure to address issues of unemployment, poverty, corruption and regional disparities that have plagued the country since the 2011 uprising.&nbsp; 
 
Chahed will become the country&rsquo;s youngest prime minister since it won independence from France in 1956. He will also be the nation&rsquo;s seventh head of government in less than six years.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The Youssef Chahed-led government, which was backed by 167 members of the 217-seat parliament, is set to take office in coming days

The Tunisian parliament won a confidence vote and approved the unity government of Youssef Chahed late on Friday, bringing an end to three months of intense negotiations. The unity government was backed by 167 members of the 217-seat parliament. It is set to take office in the coming days. The vote on the new government comes as the North African country grapples with lower tourism revenues and security challenges amid a wave of jihadist attacks on foreign tourists last year. Chahed’s cabinet will comprise members from the Islamist Ennahda party, and will also include eight women and 14 “young” ministers. Earlier this month, Chahed was named as the next prime minister after his predecessor, Habib Essid, was dismissed in a no-confidence motion following just 18 months in office. Essid’s government has drawn flak for his failure to address issues of unemployment, poverty, corruption and regional disparities that have plagued the country since the 2011 uprising. Chahed will become the country’s youngest prime minister since it won independence from France in 1956. He will also be the nation’s seventh head of government in less than six years. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Tunisian parliament approves formation of unity government

Tunisia&#39;s President Beji Caid Essebsi today named Youssef Chahed as the new prime minister after parliament ousted Habib Essid in a vote of no-confidence because of his handling of economic reforms and security. 
 
A junior minister in Essid&#39;s government, Chahed, 41, is an agricultural sciences specialist and academic who has taught in France and Tunisia.&nbsp;He is also part of the Nidaa Tounes secular party and has ties to Essebsi&#39;s family, which has led to some criticism from opposition leaders. 
 
Nidaa Tounes and the Islamist Ennahda party, both part of the ruling coalition, control a majority of the seats in parliament, which means Chahed&#39;s nomination is likely to be accepted by lawmakers when they vote on his approval. 
 
(Reuters)

Opposition leaders have criticised the nomination of the 41-year-old junior minister, as he is a relative of President Beji Essebsi

Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi today named Youssef Chahed as the new prime minister after parliament ousted Habib Essid in a vote of no-confidence because of his handling of economic reforms and security. A junior minister in Essid's government, Chahed, 41, is an agricultural sciences specialist and academic who has taught in France and Tunisia. He is also part of the Nidaa Tounes secular party and has ties to Essebsi's family, which has led to some criticism from opposition leaders. Nidaa Tounes and the Islamist Ennahda party, both part of the ruling coalition, control a majority of the seats in parliament, which means Chahed's nomination is likely to be accepted by lawmakers when they vote on his approval. (Reuters)

Tunisian president nominates Youssef Chahed new prime minister

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