Tunisian President Passes Away: Country mourns for President Beji Caid Essebsi

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In Tunisia, the first democratically-elected president, Beji Caid Essebsi, passed away on Thursday after suffering an undisclosed illness. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. Here's CGTN's Adnen Chaouachi with more.

Following the death of Tunisian President Beji Caied Essebsi, Speaker of the House of People's Representatives Mohamed Ennaceur has taken over as Acting President of the Republic.

GHAZI CHAOUACHI MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT "We've agreed upon applying article 84 of the constitution because of the permanent vacancy of the position of President of the Republic. The constitution stipulates that acting president is sworn in, to rule temporarily for a minimum period of 45 days and a maximum of 90 days."

In the meantime, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Abdelfattah Mourou and Vice President of Ennahda Islamic Movement will run the parliament.

ABDELFATTAH MOUROU ACTING SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT "Tunisia has a legal and constitutional arsenal as well as stable state institutions. All stakeholders will respect the democratic transition process. Therefore, we are confident that all legal procedures will be respected during the ongoing transition of power."

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed called the Tunisian people for national unity in service of Tunisia's supreme interest as well as respect for the provisions of the Constitution and cohesion around the constitutional authorities.

SARHANE CHIKHAOUI POLITICAL ANALYST "In the absence of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Provisional Constitutional Review Authority will be called and the President of the Court of Cassation will be consulted. The government and parliament and the Acting President is now in charge of the stability in the country."

The prime minister decided seven days of national mourning with flags at half-mast in the public buildings. He further decided to cancel all the artistic and cultural events in the country.

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS, TUNISIA "President Beji Caied Essebsi passed away on the 62nd Republic day which marks the anniversary of the Independence of Tunisia. People here say Caied Essesbi will be remembered as the man who safeguarded democracy and defended the democratic transition following the 2011 popular uprising. AC. CGTN. TUNIS."