Ghannouchi hits out at Belaid accusations

Leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement Rashid Ghannouchi has categorically denied that his movement has anything to do with the assassination of left-wing political leader Chokri Belaid. Speaking to Stephen Sackur on BBC's HARDtalk, Ghannouchi said those who accuse Ennahda of killing Belaid are "using the blood of this martyr for unacceptable political gain." In an extensive interview, the 71-year old reiterated his movement's desire for democracy, and refuted claims from President Moncef Marzouki that the danger from Tunisian Salafists could lead the country to a civil war. Ghannouchi also fell short of backing the French military intervention in Mali, saying that as a sovereign state it must deal with its own problems. The assassination of opposition politician Chokri Belaid in January led to fierce protests in Tunisia. The outspoken leftist had often criticised the ruling Ennahda movement, accusing it of being behind political violence in the country. Ghannouchi said claims that Ennahda is involved in Belaid's killing are unfounded. "We have condemned it [the assassination] and called for a national day of mourning but the victim’s family is obviously very distressed and would react. I said to those who accuse us, they are using this tragedy, using the blood of this martyr for unacceptable political gain," he said. "We are not looking for the perpetrators because the Interior Ministry has arrested some of the criminals. The other has also been identified and it’s a matter of time before he’s arrested." he added. Speaking about the threat from Salafist movements, Ghannouchi said his party is fighting violent views and action in Tunisia. "This phenomenon is not just Tunisian it is universal, it is found in the West and the East. We have adopted a policy that differs from [former president] Ben Ali’s. He used to paint Islamists with the same brush and would imprison thousands of them. We think the law should treat people as individuals. Hundreds of them [Salafists] are now in prison," he said. Ghannouchi said Tunisia is not facing civil war because the nation is peaceful. "There might be some violence and we need to be firm with anyone who breaks the law whether they’re Salafists or not. It must be enforced on everyone," he added. Reflecting on Tunisia's relationship with Western powers, the Islamist leader welcomed Barack Obama's positive approach to hold dialogue with Muslim countries. "The West has made an important change in its relationship with Islam. Islam is no longer equated with terrorism as was the case under Bush. Islam has many facets, there is democratic Islam, an Islam that believes in coexistence and another form that uses extremism and terrorism, which we condemn," he explained. However, Ghannouchi reaffirmed his negative stance on French intervention in Mali, adding that Malians must work to solve their own problems. "We are initially against foreign military intervention. We believe there is a government in Mali which can alone assess its own needs about whom to turn for help to achieve security. It is a sovereign state," he said. The Ennahda leader said he hoped that Tunisia could offer a democratic model to the world where "Islam and modernity converge" and "Islamic and western civilization see eye to eye."