US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, yesterday urged Tunisian President Kais Saied to adhere to democracy during discussion on the developments in the north African state.

Blinken told Saied to “adhere to the principles of democracy and human rights” and “maintain open dialogue with all political actors and the Tunisian people, noting that the United States would continue to follow up the situation and maintain communication.”

Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesman Ned Price called on the Tunisian authorities to “solve the country’s problems based on the constitution,” stressing the need “not to squander Tunisia’s democratic gains.”

On Sunday evening, Tunisian President Kais Saied issued orders to sack Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, freeze the work of Parliament for 30 days, suspend the immunity of deputies, and take charge of the executive power until a new government is formed, pointing out that these measures should have been taken months ago.