Tunisian opposition leader shot dead

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) ? A Tunisian opposition leader critical of the Islamist-led government and violence by radical Muslims was shot to death Wednesday, according to the government.

The killing is likely to heighten tensions in a country whose path from dictatorship to democracy has been seen as a model for the Arab world.

A leading member of a leftist alliance of parties known as the Popular Front, Chokri Belaid was shot as he left his house in the capital, Tunis, the state news agency TAP reported. It said he was taken to a nearby clinic, where he died.

Government spokesman Samir Dilou called the killing of the 48-year-old lawyer an "odious crime." The Interior Ministry gave no immediate details about the attack.

The reason for the killing is unclear. It comes as Tunisia is struggling to maintain stability and revive its economy after its longtime dictator was overthrown in an uprising two years ago. That revolution set off revolts across the Arab world and unleashed new social and religious tensions.

Belaid had been critical of Tunisia's leadership, especially the moderate Islamist party Ennahda that dominates the government and accused authorities of not doing enough to stop violence by ultraconservatives who have targeted mausoleums, art exhibits and other things seen as out of keeping with their strict interpretation of Islam.

According to his family, Belaid regularly received death threats, most recently on Tuesday, but refused to limit his high-profile activities.

Radicals disrupted a rally led by Belaid in northern Tunisia, part of a string of political meetings that were disrupted by gangs over the weekend.

Belaid has been particularly outspoken against the so-called "Committees to Protect the Revolution," which many accuse of being behind the violence. These groups are believed to be affiliated with the Ennahda Party and say it is their mission to seek out remnants of the old regime.

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, who is currently in Strasbourg, France, to address the European Parliament, will cancel his scheduled trip to Cairo for the Organization of the Islamic Conference and will head straight back to Tunisia, according to Shems FM radio.

The assassination comes as the Islamist-led government is in negotiations with the opposition parties for a cabinet reshuffle and possibly to expand the ruling coalition. Weeks of talks have yielded nothing, however, as the parties seem unable to reach an agreement over redistributing power.

Over the weekend Marzouki threatened to resign if the impasse was not resolved, creating greater worry over the state of the government as the economy struggles to recover.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tunisian-opposition-leader-killed-amid-tensions-093559428.html

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