Ghannouchi: Tunisia ready to separate politics, religion

The Leader of Tunisia's Ennahda party said his party will separate its political and religious work as part of effort to cast itself in line with the North African country's secular political heritage.

In statements to CNN Wednesday, Rachid Ghannouchi said the movement reached a state of development that requires taking such decision.

He said the decision was necessary in order not give a chance to anyone to accuse politicians of using religion in politics, rejecting accusations that Islam failed in running the country and that Islam has nothing to do with failure which he blamed on persons.

Ennahda is currently the biggest party in parliament after a string of defections from President Beji Caid Essebsi's secular Nida Tunis party.

"We have to keep religion away from political fights," said Ghannouchi, who also won a new five-year term as the head of Ennahda on Monday.

Source ; MENA