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March 12: From the president’s chair in the Golden Salon at the Presidential Palace in Carthage, the President of the Republic presided over a ceremony to raise the Tunisian flag. During the ceremony, Moncef Marzouki awarded a medal to student Khaoula Rchidi and issued a message to anyone who desecrates the flag, “a symbol of a Muslim people.” Last week was marked by incidents that took place at the University of Mannouba. The young student, Khaoula Rchidi, who was awarded the Order of the Republic, was moved: “I didn’t think twice; I saw what he was doing and reacted immediately. I’m from Gafsa, and I’m hot-blooded. Maybe that’s why I stepped in. Our flag is precious; we must not take it for granted.” After the speech, the national anthem was sung with great emotion by those present. Khaoula Rchidi was then welcomed into the Golden Salon and honored by the president: “What she did was exceptional; she defended Tunisia. It was moral strength against physical force,” he acknowledged. Amel Aloui, a student and member of the UGET who was assaulted during the incidents at the University of Mannouba, also met with Moncef Marzouki and was applauded by those present.

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