By Maryam Khalfan - MUSCAT — All Omani citizens in crisis-hit North African state of Tunisia are safe and sound. Omani students studying in higher education institutions are also reported to be safe, said Hussain bin Abdullah al Ibrahim, the Sultanate’s Ambassador in Tunisia, when contacted by the Observer to check on the safety of Omani citizens yesterday.
The Sultanate’s embassy is in touch with all the Omani students, who are currently studying at higher education institutions to obtain their doctorate and masters degree in different fields of specialties in Tunisia, stated Al Ibrahim in a telephone interview. “We have cautioned our citizens to keep away from demonstrating crowds and our offices are open round-the-clock to respond to emergencies, if any and to support them in case they need any assistance.
Currently, only four students are studying in Tunisia to obtain their masters and doctorate in education, political science, telecommunications and science of communications in a special programme organised in co-ordination with the Sultanate’s Ministry of Higher Education and the Tunisian government. “The respective students including three men and a woman are also far from the southern provincial parts of the country where days of unrest led to crowds of demonstration.
“As of yesterday there was calm on the streets and the government declared a nationwide state of emergency under heavy security. The current crisis has also led to a curfew to be imposed from 5 pm to 7 am for security reasons”, said the diplomat. Meanwhile, the Arab League, based in Cairo, urged “all political forces, and representatives of Tunisian society and officials, to be united for the good of the Tunisian people and to achieve civil peace.”
It called on all concerned to “work together for the return of calm and security and stability,” and to reach “a national consensus to bring the country out of this crisis while guaranteeing the respect of the will of the Tunisian people.” Tunisia’s speaker of parliament, Fouad Mebazaa, a close ally of Ben Ali, took power yesterday as the army locked down central Tunis to prevent further
protests.
