Tunisian president orders holding polls

By Yosra Ouanes

TUNIS (AA) - Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Friday announced dates for the conduct of presidential and legislative elections in the country.

The 92-year-old president, who was hospitalized in critical condition and returned home, early this week signed a decree, to hold legislative election on October 6 and the presidential election on November 17.

Essebsi invited "voters to carry out their electoral duty," according to a presidential statement on his Facebook.

"We will continue to work for this presidential pledge that ends as of December 2019," he said.

This is the first decision after the president returned from hospital on Monday.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat