ANKARA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized a decision by Tunisia's President Kais Saied to dissolve the parliament of the country.
"The dissolution of the parliament, which includes the elected officials, is thought-provoking for the future of Tunisia," he said in a written statement late on Monday.
Erdogan expressed his "regret" that the Tunisian parliament was dissolved, and an inquiry was launched against the deputies who attended an online session to revoke President Saied's decree.
The Turkish president said that his country attaches importance to the fulfillment of the road map outlined for the elections in Tunisia.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's support for Tunisia will continue during this critical period.
Tunisian President Saied has called on the Independent High Authority for Elections to be ready to organize the legislative elections slated for Dec. 17.
Last week, Saied announced the dissolution of the Assembly of People's Representatives, or the parliament.
Tunisia's Islamist party Ennahda (Renaissance) on Monday voiced its opposition to the dissolution of the Tunisian parliament.
On July 25, 2021, Saied sacked former Prime Minister Hichem Mechich and suspended all activities of the parliament. More than half members of the 217-seat Tunisian parliament voted on March 30 in a symbolic online session to revoke the presidential decree halting the chamber's functions. ■