BBC News Middle East

AFPCopyright: AFP

A veteran Tunisian left-wing politician has launched a new alliance aimed at countering what he describes as President Kais Saied’s recent power grab.

Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, said the new National Salvation Front, comprised of five opposition parties, aims to re-establish democracy in Tunisia.

Last July, President Saied sacked the government and suspended parliament.

He has since seized control of the judiciary and given himself the power to appoint the head of the electoral commission.

Mr Chebbi has called for a "salvation government" to lead the country during a transition period before new elections.

More about Tunisia:

• Judges locked out of their offices after president's decree
• Democrats, despots and the fight for power
• A quick guide to Tunisia

AFPCopyright: AFP

The Egyptian government has reversed its decision to ban night-time prayers and retreats in mosques following a public outcry.

Both practices are customary during the fasting month of Ramadan, with retreats taking place in the last 10 days of the month.

Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Mokhtar Gom'a had said the ban was designed to avoid spreading coronavirus.

But Muslims in Egypt demanded equality with Christians who have been gathering in large numbers to celebrate Easter this week.

A hashtag trending on Twitter on Tuesday described Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi as an "enemy of God".

AFPCopyright: AFP

Tunisia's President Kaïs Saïed has issued a decree that replaces members of the Independent Electoral Commission with his own appointees.

The commission has been seen as one of the last official bodies to remain independent in Tunisia since Mr Saïed took executive powers and dissolved parliament last year.

This latest move seems likely to fuel further opposition to his rule by those who believe that he has taken too much power.

It also seems all but certain to stir further controversy over parliamentary elections that the Tunisian president has said will be held by the end of this year.

More about Tunisia:

• Judges locked out of their offices after president's decree
• Democrats, despots and the fight for power
• A quick guide to Tunisia

The rival government in Libya has held its first meeting in the latest challenge to the UN-backed administration based in the capital, Tripoli.

Since February, Libya has again been spilt between two opposing cabinets after parliament in the east elected Fathi Bashaga as the new prime minister, while the incumbent Abdulhamid Dbeibah refused to step down.

At the first session of his cabinet in the southern town of Sebha, Mr Bashagha declared that a new era was beginning in Libya after chaos and tyranny.

But there is widespread concern that the country could face new unrest after the UN-sponsored political roadmap was cast into doubt by the failure to hold planned elections in December.

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Reform and Development partyCopyright: Reform and Development party

Egypt's Public Prosecution office has ruled that the death of a prominent government critic was not the result of any crime.

Supporters of Ayman Hadhoud say that he was subject to ill- treatment by the police after what they describe as his "forced disappearance".

Mr Hadhoud died in a government-run psychiatric hospital in March but his body was not handed over to relatives until earlier this month.

The Egyptian prosecution office said a post-mortem revealed that Mr Hadhoud had died from a chronic heart condition - and there were no signs of violence or resistance.

Read more: Ayman Hadhoud: Questions over Egyptian economist's mysterious death

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Libya’s National Oil Corporation says that a wave of protests affecting the energy sector are likely to get worse.

At least four separate groups have stopped production at oil fields and energy facilities across the country.

The protesters want Libya's Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to hand power to a rival government led by Fathi Bashagha which was formed last month.

The two governments have been competing for power since Libya's parliament elected Mr Bashagha prime minister.

But Mr Dbeibah says he still has a mandate to govern until national elections scheduled for June.