TUNIS, Tunisia

Tunisia's newly elected parliament sat for the first time in on Monday.

The opening session was chaired by the eldest lawmaker, Saleh Al-Mubaraki, 70, who stressed the significance of "joint work with the executive authority within the framework of the unity of the state."

"Our country is facing serious challenges, and we must work in participatory and positive harmony with the executive authority within the framework of the unity of the state," he said.

Al-Mubarki is head of the Nidaa Tounes movement, which was founded by late President Beji Caid Essebsi and won the 2014 legislative and presidential elections.

Monday’s session was held 20 months after Tunisian President Kais Saied suspended the former parliament, sacked the prime minister and assumed executive authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup”.

Saied insists that his measures were meant to "save" the country after years of crisis.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat