Hundreds of people marched through Tunis on Friday (March 20) in protest against an attack on the capital’s Bardo museum which saw 21 foreign tourists killed.
People held banners and placards reading “terrorism is neither Muslim nor Tunisian” and “we will be stronger- terrorism outside” as the country celebrated Independence Day.
Tunisia said it would deploy the army to major cities and arrested nine people on Thursday after 21 foreign tourists were shot dead in an attack on a museum which Islamic State militants called “the first drop of the rain”.
The death toll, which had stood at 20, rose to 21 on Friday as French President Francois Hollande said a third French national had died from wounds sustained in the attack.
Three Tunisians were also killed.
Japanese, Italian, Spanish and British visitors were among the victims of the attack, which took place in the heavily guarded parliament compound of a country largely spared the violent aftermath of the Arab Spring.
The assault — the most deadly attack involving foreigners in Tunisia since a 2002 suicide bombing in Djerba — came at a fragile moment for a country just emerging to full democracy after its pioneering popular uprising four years ago.
It is heavily reliant on foreign tourists to its beach resorts and desert treks, and the government was about to tackle politically sensitive reforms aimed at boosting economic growth.
But, one tour guide at the march said the attack was not just about the effect it has had on tourism but was also a question of national pride.
“We’re very hurt by it, our pride has been hurt. It’s not about the economy, we can’t just talk about the economy, but it’s our pride in being Tunisians that’s hurt by being sullied by terrorism in Tunisia,” said tour guide Zoubeir.
European Union leaders agreed on Friday to increase cooperation withTunisia following the attack, saying they would also offer more economic assistance to the new Arab democracy.
With neighbouring Libya in chaos following a Western-backed revolt in 2011, and with military rulers back in power in Egypt, EU states are keen to bolster the elected authorities in Tunisia, where the Arab Spring protests for democracy began
Reuters
