Ghannouchi booed at Arab National Congress

Ennahda leader and founder Rached Ghannouchi was booed by some members of the audience after taking the stage at the 23rd Arab National Congress, held in Tunis. This verbal protest was against his refusal to include a chapter which incriminates normalisation of relations with Israel. The expressions of dissatisfaction came from members of the Baathist movement, who interrupted the event to denounce his presence, shouting and raising signs against the leader. Ghannouchi's responded to the unruly scenes at the beginning of the Arab National Conference saying they were "a sign of backwardness.” He also pointed out that the Palestinian issue is the central cause for the nation and that the Arab revolutions expressed much support for the Palestinian people, "because tyranny is what causes the loss of Palestine." Zoubeir Choudi, a spokesperson for Ennahda, emphasised Ghannouchi’s role as a founding member of the Congress. He said that the conference has been going on for 23 years and has been "an intellectual centre to discuss the current situation in the Arab world,” and that Ghannouchi has played a vital part in developing the congress. The congress began Monday, June 4 and is scheduled to continue until June 6. The event is attended this year by prominent individuals from numerous countries, including the former Secretary General of the Congress, Kheir Eddin Hussein and UK politician and MP George Galloway.