Tunisians mark 54th anniversary of their republic

Tunisians celebrated the 54th anniversary of their Republic, which was proclaimed a little over a year after the country gained independence from France.

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Tunis - Tunisians on Monday celebrated the 54th anniversary of their Republic, which was proclaimed a little over a year after the country gained independence from France. Saturday, the interim government marked the event by releasing 1097 prisoners.

It will most likely be the last commemoration of the country's First Republic as voters are due on October 23 to elect a constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution which will usher in the Second Republic.

The October election will end the rule of the transitional government which has been running the country since the downfall of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in a popular uprising on January 14.

Tunisia achieved independence on March 20, 1956, as a constitutional monarchy with the Bey of Tunis, Muhammad VIII al-Amin, becoming king of Tunisia.

The kingdom only lasted until July 25, 1957, when the republic was declared. - Sapa-AFP

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/tunisians-mark-54th-anniversary-of-their-republic-1.1105563?cache=03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10%3Fcache%3D03D163D03D163D03D163D03D163Freport%3D19.111457.1300790576%3Fimage%3D10

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