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Amine Landoulsi/AP/Press Association Images

Veteran human rights activist sworn in as Tunisia's president

Dr Moncef Marzouki emotionally vowed to be a president for “all Tunisians”, adding that the world would be closely watching the country’s “laboratory of democracy”.

A HUMAN RIGHTS activist, who was once imprisoned and exiled by his native government, has been sworn in as Tunisia’s new president.

Dr Moncef Marzouki, 66, is head of the secular centre-left Congress for the Republic, which he founded in 2001. He was exiled for his opposition of the country’s former president Zine el Abidine ben Ali.

After Ben Ali fled the country amid massive revolt last January, Marzouki returned from France to a hero’s welcome.

During his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Marzouki emotionally vowed to be a president “for all Tunisians”, saying that he would represent all of the country’s women – whether or not they wore the veil. He added that the world would be watching Tunisia’s  “laboratory of democracy”.

However, Marzouki warned that time and patience would be required to overcome the challenges ahead: ”We have to preserve the spirit of the revolution, speed up reforms, create job opportunities and encourage investments without exploiting people,” he said.

He added: “We have to stress our Arab, Islamic identity but at the same time we have to reach out to the west.”

More than 40 opposition members returned blank ballots on the presidential vote, saying that it was “democratic window dressing”, the Los Angeles Times reports. However, Marzouki thanked both those who had voted for him and those who had not – saying that their message “had been received”.

Marzouki’s role will be the second-most powerful in the country, the Guardian reports.  As president, he will set Tunisia’s foreign policy and be commander-in-chief of the armed forces – but in both respects he will also have to secure the consent of the Prime Minister.

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    Mute conor
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:54 PM

    This man should have more than 900,000 followers on facebook. His journey should be a lesson to all of us. A true human being, expanding our species knowledge.

    792
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    Mute Mike O Neill
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:06 PM

    I think you mean engrossed! Or at least I hope you did..

    719
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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:15 PM

    Actually couldn’t breath I was laughing so much. Sorry Pontius lol I’m feeling a bit overly giddy as I have a very rare night off .

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    Mute Catherine Sims
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:17 PM

    It’s also official now. Journal commenters can bring ANY topic back to sex lol

    193
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    Mute Sam
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:51 PM

    Made me laugh out on a packed bus! I look like a right weirdo now

    149
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    Mute Mike O Neill
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    Oct 24th 2014, 7:30 PM

    Engorged, Cox, Spotted (Dick). Enjoy your night Catherine:)

    86
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    Mute Patrick O'Rourke
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:30 PM

    A chair ?

    9
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    Mute Dr. Gonzo
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    Oct 25th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Batteries

    1
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    Mute Joe Lyster
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    Oct 24th 2014, 7:57 PM

    Did anyone else read his post with a computer voice in your head???

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    Mute Debbie Duggan
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:22 AM

    Yes I did..Lol..

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    Mute BlueSkyThinking
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    Oct 25th 2014, 7:36 AM

    Everytime I hear the Benny Benassi song “satisfaction”, I thinks it’s Stephen Hawkings singing:
    http://youtu.be/V5bYDhZBFLA

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    Mute Eddie Gammell
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:40 PM

    Absolutely

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    Mute Eddie Gammell
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:41 PM

    Absolutely I did akso

    1
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    Mute John Dunne
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:28 PM

    I bet anyone that seen his post and was reading it in there mind with Stephen voice… Be honest lol

    130
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    Mute Sarah Cullington
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:08 PM

    I am totally imagining him saying this in my head :)

    122
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    Mute Jackie Caruana
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    Oct 25th 2014, 7:09 AM

    Me too, I heard his voice

    8
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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Oct 25th 2014, 8:15 AM

    His voice?

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:17 PM

    He struck me as more of a candy crush person

    106
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    Mute doc samoflange
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:58 PM

    can the author of this article please go back and edit in the bit that made his post brilliant, because I think it was left out

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    Mute Ron North
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    Oct 24th 2014, 8:45 PM

    It’s a rubbish post. It’s not much better than a picture of a kitten.

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    Mute Susan Adair Farrelly
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    Oct 24th 2014, 9:27 PM

    I see the twits are out in force tonight..

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    Mute Una Doran
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:39 PM

    Yea would not call it brilliant

    43
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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:57 PM

    great man

    67
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    Mute mick66
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    Oct 24th 2014, 10:43 PM

    According to Hawkins God was not necessary in the creation of the Universe. Now let’s hear the roar from the two camps!

    32
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    Mute Fraj Llecrup
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    Oct 25th 2014, 1:23 AM

    “According to Hawkins God was not necessary in the creation of the Universe”

    ……without a shred of evidence to back up that assumption!!

    25
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    Mute Bill
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    Oct 25th 2014, 6:32 AM

    I rather think the God squad need to prove that she/it/he exists rather than us non believers

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    Mute Martin Posters Moore Street
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    Oct 24th 2014, 5:58 PM

    And now i can see forever

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    Mute Byyys
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:35 PM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J815z_zN4LY – David Blaine did a trick with Stephen. think he was impressed.

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    Mute Collins Dermot
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:27 AM

    I think his theory’s are absurd

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    Mute Raymond Connolly
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    Oct 24th 2014, 10:13 PM

    It’s brilliant ?

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    Mute molly coddled
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    Oct 25th 2014, 1:06 AM

    Stephen hawking.
    Legend.
    Says it in a nutshell.

    12
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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:05 AM

    Even the Lego Hawking is class

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    Mute Jenny Brandon
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    Oct 24th 2014, 11:04 PM

    We are like ants on wheels to whoever the greater power is looking down or even up at us!

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Oct 25th 2014, 12:04 AM

    That’s it. The ANTS !!! Their controlling us from underground

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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:56 PM

    ok

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    Mute Mick Bermingham
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    Oct 24th 2014, 6:55 PM

    ni

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    Mute Collins Dermot
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    Oct 25th 2014, 3:55 AM

    His first and his last what if he was just talking D piss

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    Mute RFZmK5Va
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    Oct 25th 2014, 3:32 AM

    The mans a fraud, he’s paying the water charges

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    Mute Dr'Wesley O'hÁlpin
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    Oct 25th 2014, 9:01 AM

    Was it just me or did anyone else read it hearing his voice?

    2
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