Tunisia pardons 1,300 prisoners on national day

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki on Wednesday pardoned 1,300 prisoners to mark national day, his office announced.

Marzouki took the decision after meeting Justice Minister Noureddin B'Hiri, a statement said.

B'Hiri told Shems private radio station that among those pardoned are minors, schoolchildren and university students.

On Wednesday, Tunisia celebrated the 55th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic.

In an earlier address to the constituent national assembly, Marzouki warned that Tunisia could face a new revolution unless real democracy prevailed in the country following the uprising that ousted strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

"The people who elected you will not accept an artificial democracy, otherwise they could push for a new revolution," he said.