Ansar al-Sharia rejects Tunis talks

Tunisia’s Ansar al-Sharia leader Mohamed Anis Chaieb has rejected calls for dialogue with the government, amid growing tensions between the two sides. Speaking exclusively to Arabstoday, Anis Chaieb blamed Tunisia’s ruling Ennahda party for the deaths of 17 Salafists in recent weeks. “The government exhibits a double standard,” he said. “It adopts a policy of racism against Salafis inside Tunisia.” Interior Minister Lotfi bin Jeddo has called on Ansar al-Sharia supporters to participate in political life and to renounce violence. However Anis Chaieb is unrepentant. “We do not need a license from any party whatsoever to pursue our mission in preaching,” he claimed. The Ansar al-Sharia leader also absolved the Islamist organisation of responsibility in any future escalation against government security forces. “We don’t take responsibility and, God willing, we will continue with our plans to hold a third summit which we expect to be attended by more than 40,000 participants.” Anis Chaieb also blamed foreign governments, including the Algerian intelligence services, for “attempting to eradicate” Islamist groups in Tunisia. “Someone is trying to drag Ansar al-Sharia into a confrontation but our leadership controls its youth,’” he claimed.