01 November 2012

The evidence coming out of Tunisia points in one direction. The extremists are on the march

Clashes involving Salafis; women gang-raped by police; attacks on the US embassy: hopes for democracy in the birthplace of the Arab Spring are fading.

Tunisia extended its state of emergency today. It came after Islamist fundamentalists attacked two national guard posts and dozens of supporters took to the streets of the capital Tunis, a number waving knives.

Previously such extensions only occurred on a 30 day basis. This time, and in the latest worrying sign for the north African states of the Arab Spring, it will last until to the end of January. [independent.co.uk] Read more