Al-Areed admits neglect of US Embassy protest

The Interior Minister Ali Al-Areed admitted that he failed to handle the events that took place last Friday around and inside the American Embassy as a result of the anti-Islam film that offends the Holy Prophet. During the accountability session in the National Constituent Assembly on Wednseday afternoon, Ali Al-Areed said: “It is a significant slip in terms of its results and effect." He confirmed that what took place was "an exceptional incident." The Interior Minister also said: "The security principle in handling large number of protesters after Friday prayers near the American Embassy was to allow them to peacefully express their condemnation of the film that offends the Prophet, peace be upon him." He added in reference to the strict Salafi that among the protesters there were "some elements that are known for extremism and criminality and other known for religious strictness." Concerning the caricatures of the Holy Prophet that was published on Wednesday, Ali Al-Areed called on Tunisian youth "not confuse peaceful demonstrations with violence acts, vandalism and assault of the state" as these acts are punished by law. Ali Al-Areed said in his speech before the National Constituent Assembly: "We managed to avoid a worse disaster - there could have been more casualties and greater loss in property.” He confirmed, "We are going take the necessary procedures after the evaluation, we are going to prosecute those who were responsible for these events and we hope that the judiciary system carries out its role.” Discussing the security institution he said: "The duty of security is to defend Tunisia and not interfere in anything else. The security performance has definitely improved on most levels, despite these pitfalls but it is vital to remember that reforming the security system needs time and capabilities that are not available yet.” He also stressed that Tunisia faced real challenges that require unifying all patriotic forces in order to protect it from the risks that threaten it. He called for the need to support the internal security forces and the national army that carry out this mission. Regarding the reasons for security failure to handle the events of the American Embassy, Ali Al-Areed explained that this resulted from the great insistence of those whom he called "some groups armed with stones, sticks and Molotov bottles " to get into the embassy that extends over a large area. He said that these tragic events resulted in the death of four people, the injury of fifty protesters and ninety one security and national army officers. Moreover, Tunisia’s image abroad was affected.