TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia’s president on Thursday lifted the state of emergency that has been in place since the outbreak of a popular revolution three years ago.
The decree from President Moncef Marzouki said the state of emergency ordered in January 2011 is lifted immediately. The state of emergency was imposed by longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and maintained after he was overthrown. Tunisia has been battling extremists since the revolution, but officials said the security situation has improved recently.
Lifting the state of emergency is a positive sign for Tunisian and foreign investors, Finance Minister Hakim Ben Hammouda said on Radio Mosaique. The end of a state of emergency could also help lure tourists back to the Mediterranean country.
