Tunisian defense minister resigns to run for president

TUNIS

Tunisian Defense Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi presented his candidacy for early presidential election at the headquarters of the Independent High Electoral Commission on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Zbidi said he had resigned as head of the Ministry of National Defense.

He added that his reason for resignation was first because morally it seemed a duty to resign from government work in accordance with the rules of the electoral game.

And secondly, to avoid suspicions regarding the use of state means in the election campaign, which would undermine the transparency and integrity of the elections.

He continued to emphasize he is an independent candidate, who aims to remain neutral and distanced from all political parties, yet be at the service of all Tunisians regardless of their political, economic and social affiliations and despite political debates and quotas.

Zbidi also states it is the first time in his country’s history that a defense minister runs for president.

On Tuesday, the “Nidaa Tounes” movement announced that 36 out of 217 MPs recommended Abdelkarim Zbidi 's candidacy for the presidential election.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara