Tunisian president hospitalized for 2nd time in week

TUNIS

Tunisia's president was on Thursday brought to a military hospital in the capital Tunis, his second such visit in less than a week.

Beji Caid Essebsi, 92, sustained "a health crisis," the Tunisian presidency said on its official Facebook page, without providing further details.

Also on Facebook, presidential advisor Firas Kafrach described the president's condition as "critical."

He called for prayers, wishing the president a quick recovery.

"Those who spread this false news about Beji Caid Essebsi's health are targeting the national security of Tunisia," said presidential spokesperson Saida Garrach.

Garrach, who was speaking to a local radio station, said this was an attack on the country’s stability.

She added that Essebsi’s health was stable and an extraordinary meeting held in parliament earlier in the day was due to terrorist attacks that took place.

Thursday’s bombings came hours after an armed group attacked a broadcasting station in Gafsa province in southern Tunisia.

Last Friday, Essebsi was hospitalized over health concerns before being discharged the next day.

Essebsi, Tunisia's president since December 2014, is due to step down when his term ends this November.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit from Ankara