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Tunisia: President Ben Ali says will run for re-election next year
Thu. July 31, 2008 02:40 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) In a move that would extend his two-decade-long stay in power until 2014, Tunisia’s President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali said on Wednesday he would run for re-election next year.
"I tell you with all pride: I'm always faithful to my commitment and answer you with all honour -- I will be your candidate for the 2009 presidential elections," Ben Ali, 71, told the annual congress of the country's ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party.
The Tunisian leader’s comments marked the first time he has directly addressed calls made by his supporters over the past 18 months that he should stand for re-election.
Ben Ali gained power in Tunisia in 1987 when doctors declared the then president Habib Bourguiba senile and unfit to rule.
A referendum in 2002 revised the constitution to allow the president an unlimited number of successive five-year terms.
Ben Ali won 94.4 percent of vote in the last election in 2004.-Reuters
News Category: Africa
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