Gathafi slams foreign interference in Tunisia

[Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص]

TUNIS - Libyan leader Moamer Gathafi voiced support for Tunisia's revolution Tuesday but denounced foreign interference

Change of opinion

Libyan leader now backs Tunisia revolution ten days after saying There is none better than Ben Ali to govern country.

 

 

 in an interview with Tunisian television, after earlier heaping praise on the ousted president.

"If people unleash a revolution, they have to govern themselves. I can't but support this orientation if it leads to power for the masses," Gathafi said.

"But I am afraid this revolution by the Tunisian people could be stolen. There are manoeuvres within the country and by foreign interests," he said.

A day after president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's fall on January 14, Gathafi had said he regretted the fall of the neighbouring country's veteran ruler.

"There is none better than Zine to govern Tunisia," he said then, adding: "I do not only hope that he stays until 2014, but for life."

But in the rambling interview broadcast on Tunisia's Nesma TV on Tuesday, Gathafi said he supported the will of the Tunisian people.

"We are with the Tunisian people," said Gathafi, who wore sunglasses for most of the interview and was dressed in a white jacket and black jumper.

"If the people unleashed the revolution, they have to govern themselves. I can't but support this if it leads to power for the masses," he said.