Speaking on the occasion of his investiture in Tunis, the Tunisian president all uded to a French statement that accused Tunisia of 'breaches of freedoms and human rights'.
The spokesman of the French Foreign Affairs ministry, Bernard Valero, also announced a French appeal to European capitals for consultation about the arrest of journalist Taoufik Ben Brik, which has sparked debates in France.
The Tunisian journalist, who is the author of bitter attacks on president Ben Ali, was indicted after he attacked a woman. He has been committed to the pr ison of Mornaguia, near Tunis, while awaiting his appearance on 19 November before the magistrate's court to answer his charges.
The Tunisian president, who was speaking to Parliament at an extraordinary sessi on after he took the oath of office following his election for a fifth five-year term of office, stressed that Tunisia 'will not allow anybody to attack it or try to be harmful to its prestige through deception and fabrication'.
"As much as Tunisia heartedly welcomes constructive criticism and differences of opinion, the country is attached to its independence, its sovereignty and freedom of decision; it refuses any interference in its internal affairs and does not allow anybody to destabilise it or try to, through deception and fabrication, to be harmful to its prestige,' he said.
President Ben Ali sharply criticised his Tunisian opponents for calling foreign media to 'tarnish the country's image'.
The president, who was asked about the fate of the journalist, said he would not interfere in the judiciary but he did not reject the possibility clemency for Ben Brik, whose close relatives say he is ill.
Tunis - 12/11/2009
Pana
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