Tunisians marked the second anniversary on Monday of veteran dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's flight into exile in the first of the Arab Spring uprisings but insecurity and social tensions persist.
A deadlock over a new constitution and the growing influence of radical Islamists are further challenges facing the nation since Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia.
President Moncef Marzouki will kick off the celebrations at 0700 GMT by hoisting the national flag over Kasbah Square in Tunis, near the headquarters of the ruling coalition led by the Islamist Ennahda party.
Later the government will seal a "social pact" with trade union leaders and business executives at the National Constituent Assembly, in a bid to boost a sluggish economy.
Frustration at the government's failure to address poverty and rising unemployment has mounted since the revolution, with the country rocked by repeated protests, some of them deadly.
On Sunday, the army deployed in the southern border town of Ben Guerdane after a week of clashes between police and residents demanding development projects to revive the area's local economy and reduce unemployment.
A festive mood nevertheless swept over Tunis where street concerts and cultural events were held throughout the weekend along central Habib Bourguiba Avenue, cradle of the 2010-2011 revolution.
Supporters and opponents of the government, as well as Islamist and liberal forces, were planning to march side by side on Monday to mark the anniversary.
"In a few hours we will know if all these different factions of Tunisians can co-exist... It is a real test of democracy that will take place tomorrow in the heart of the capital," Le Quotidien newspaper said on Sunday.
The interior ministry has urged everyone to respect the peace but said it was taking "necessary precautions" should violence break out.
Security forces fear that radical Islamist factions could seize the occasion to carry out attacks -- particularly since jihadists have been linked to a wave of unrest since the revolution.
Representatives of both Libya and Egypt, two other Arab Spring states, will attend Monday's ceremony, that will be capped by a meeting of the National Constituent Assembly which is deadlocked on a new constitution.
AFP
Mon Jan 14 2013
Niaga AWANI: Bursa Malaysia dijangka diniagakan dalam jajaran kecil minggu ini
Naib Presiden Penyelidikan Ekuiti Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd, Thong Pak Leng berkata beliau meramalkan paras sokongan segera pada 1,555, diikuti dengan 1,545.
Niaga AWANI: Cabaran jurang negara kaya dan membangun
Editor Astro AWANI, Najib Aroff menemu bual Mirek Dusek yang merupakan Pengarah Urusan, World Economic Forum (WEF) berkait fokus serta tumpuan Mesyuarat Khas WEF serta jurang negara kaya dan membangun.
AWANI Pagi: Sokongan & peluang pekerjaan untuk komuniti Autistik
Sempena sambutan Bulan Autisme Sedunia pada April, ikuti diskusi bersama Beatrice Leong, Autistik, Aktivis dan Pengasas Persatuan Kesejahteraan Autisme mengenai ekosistem sokongan untuk pekerjaan individu autistik di Malaysia.
Letupan bom Sungai Golok: Penduduk Rantau Panjang turut rasai gegaran
Selain letupan seorang saksi mendakwa turut mendengar insiden berbalas tembakan di kawasan berkenaan.
Niaga AWANI: FOMC Mei 2024 bermula esok, apakah jangkaan keputusan The Fed?
Pasaran kini menjangkakan kadar faedah akan dikekalkan pada mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pasaran Terbuka Persekutuan (FOMC) seterusnya iaitu pada 1 Mei ini. Adakah ini akan menepati jangkaan pasaran? Perbincangan bersama Ketua Ekonomi, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid.
Delegasi Hamas ke Kaherah bincang gencatan senjata
Hamas dijangka bertindak balas terhadap cadangan genjatan senjata berperingkat terbaharu Israel yang disampaikan pada Sabtu lalu.
14 rumah terjejas ribut landa Kuala Muda
Antara kawasan lain yang terlibat ialah Kampung Teluk Wang Besar, Kampung Teluk Wang Kechil, Kampung Bukit dan Kampung Masjid.
Manfaatkan teknologi AI dalam sektor pendidikan
Perbincangan diperlukan mengenai cara-cara untuk mengintegrasikan AI ke dalam sistem pendidikan secara berkesan.
AWANI Pagi: Berita tumpuan & menarik di astroawani.com [29 April 2024]
Antara fokus Awani Pagi bersama Geegee Ahmad & Afiezy Azaman;
IPR: Peniaga nasi kukus raih jualan RM14,000 sebulan
Waspada ejen nikah Siam
Pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program – Fadhlina
IPR: Peniaga nasi kukus raih jualan RM14,000 sebulan
Waspada ejen nikah Siam
Pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program – Fadhlina
TotalEnergies setuju tingkat pelaburan di Malaysia - PM
TotalEnergies menyatakan komitmen dan bersetuju untuk mempertingkatkan pelaburan dalam sektor huluan minyak dan gas.