Dubai: While Tunisian politicians on Sunday held talks on the formation of a unity government, Tunisia's neighbours kept a wary eye on the situation, fearing similar public revolts.
Governments are already seeking ways to curb anger over rising food prices and unemployment. "Certainly, the Tunisia uprising has emboldened opposition groups throughout the region, but the question is how will these regimes act? Will they clamp down hard on the opposition or slowly open up political space to absorb the growing anger," Shadi Hamid, director of research at Doha's Brookings Centre told Gulf News.
Timeline: Tunisia since independence
World leaders toppled in the last 50 years
In pictures: Unrest in Tunisia
Meanwhile, in a repeat of Tunisian Mohammad Bouazizi's self-immolation, an Algerian man died yesterday after setting himself on fire at a government building. Bouazizi's action was the catalyst for the revolution in Tunisia.
On a positive note, a sense of elation swept the Arab world following the end of Tunisian President Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali's 23-year rule. Congratulatory messages crowded Facebook pages. "I only hope to see the same in my country" an Arab blogger wrote.
Rami Khouri, a Beirut-based commentator, said: "This may be the first Arab people to seek self-determination in the last two or three generations. It's a historic process and by nature it's slow and cumbersome.
Opposition worries
"We should still expect a certain amount of chaos and uncertainty, but at the same time appreciate the positive things."
The lack of a unified opposition is also a worry.
"You have a real variety — secularists, leftists, democracy and human rights people and Islamists in different forms. It's going to take a little time for the opposition to coalesce. Probably there will be two main groups — an Islamist-led one that will probably end up being Turkish-style Islamists, and a leftist, secular, nationalist, progressive-type group," Khouri said.
The relative calm enforced by the army two days after Bin Ali was ousted was broken by a gunfight outside an opposition party headquarters yesterday.
Police and military stopped a carload of armed men and shots were fired. Police said two of the suspects arrested had Swedish passports. They also arrested a Tunisian.
Tanks were stationed around the capital Tunis, but after a day of drive-by shootings and jailbreaks, residents said they were starting to feel more secure.
Sunday is not a working day in Tunisia, but some people were moving about, shopping for food. For the first time in several days, a handful of commercial vehicles could be seen moving about with deliveries.
UAE calls for unity and stability
The UAE on Sunday said that it is closely following the events in Tunisia. In a statement, the UAE Cabinet said: "The UAE wishes the quick restoration of stability and security in Tunisia."
The statement also urged the Tunisian people to stick together in "this delicate moment", to maintain national unity and to thwart any attempt to undermine Tunisia or its security and stability.
"It is important that the Tunisian people unify their ranks to safeguard the achievements of their country on a institutional, legal and constitutional basis," the statement said.
"The UAE hopes Tunisia will overcome the current situation in the best interests of its people, and wishes stable and good living conditions for the people of Tunisia so that the country will continue to fulfil its role at the Arab and international levels."
WAM
