Tunisians mourning President Beji Caid Essebsi voiced pride on Friday at measures under way to choose his successor, saying his work guiding the country to democracy after a 2011 revolution helped make a peaceful handover of power possible.
Essebsi, Tunisia’s first democratically-elected president, died on Thursday aged 92.
Hundreds of women, men and children stood under a strong sun outside the military hospital where he died, and later watched as his coffin was taken to Carthage presidential palace under heavy security.
Many expressed respect for his role overseeing political reforms in the North African country after the overthrow of veteran autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.
"Today we lost a father to all Tunisians," said a woman named Salma Hbibi.
Read More (...)
