One of the unexpected consequences of Tunisia's political crisis has been Hamadi Jebali's transformation into a true statesman. AFP published this profile of the embattled politician and now-former premier. Jebali is described as "a man of compromise" with "a fat contact book".
"He is very calm, self-assured, and expresses himself in a measured fashion. But he is not soft; his years in prison forged a character of steel," the agency quotes a Tunis diplomat as saying.
The Ennahda vice-president definitely earned political dividends by standing firm on his call for an apolitical government. His suggestion of compromise yielded the support of trade unions and civil society but foundered on the intransigance of party hardliners. Regardless of the outcome of the this political crisis, he emerged stronger and more confident. Tunisia's political scene needs his comeback but according to the Wednesday talks between Ghannouchi and Marzouki, the leaders are still "in talks" with him.
Opposition leaders rally behind Jebali. Even the media, known for their antipathy for Islamists, saluted Jebali. Le Press writes thet he "has given everyone a wonderful lesson in
courage, consistency and commitment for the best interests of the nation".
Hopefully, the crisis will come to a denouement this week and tomorrow will bring another development in the already-prolonged political saga.
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