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Tunisia revolution inspires Arab world

A former Arab League envoy to the United Nations says the Tunisian revolution is inspiring the Arab world, which is worn-out by various dictatorial regimes.

In an interview with Press TV, Clovis Maksoud said Tunisia’s revolution “is one of the most inspiring events of the Arab world in the contemporary time.”

The revolution “is the prognosis by which many frustrated people in various countries — suffering dictatorship, poverty, and marginalization, are now being empowered,” said the former ambassador to the United Nations.

The Arab people “are on the threshold of having their own correctives, hopefully like the revolution in Tunisia, with (the) least casualties.” Maksoud said.

He added that the revolution indicates “that the Arab people are worn out by their various governments and dictatorships.”

In December, the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor, unleashed a wave of street riots across the North African country that ended in the dramatic ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.

The Ousted Tunisian president fled to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on January 14.

Inspired by the protests in Tunisia, Egyptian organizers urged people to join a protest dubbed “the day of revolt against torture, poverty, corruption and unemployment.”

The call, which was initially launched by a pro-democracy youth group, called the “April 6 Movement,” quickly received the backing of others.

Opposition figure Mohamed El Baradei has also expressed support for the protest, saying recently that opponents of Egypt’s long-running regime should be able to follow the lead set by Tunisia.

Growing public anger over unemployment and rising costs have also sparked protests and a string of attempted public suicides in Algeria.

Earlier this month, violent protests in the country resulted in the death of five people left more than 800 injured.

In a bid to calm public anger, the government ordered a drop in basic food prices and pledged to continue subsidising wheat, milk and electricity.

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