The Ennahdha party logo featured on one of flags waved by supporters in Saturday’s rally

The ruling Ennahdha party staged a rally in downtown Tunis Saturday afternoon during which demonstrators showed their support for the party in power and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the government.

“The people want Ennahdha again,” roared the crowd throughout Saturday’s protest.

The pro-Ennahdha demonstration came on the heels of three days of mass protests over Wednesday’s assassination of opposition leader Chokri Belaid. Much of the public anger in protests, following Belaid’s murder, was directed toward Ennahdha, and its founder Rachid Ghannouchi in particular, both of whom protesters accused of failing to safeguard the country’s security.

“We are against violence and call for the criminalization of violence,” said Emad, an Ennahdha supporter present at the rally.

Some of the local headquarters of Ennahdha were set on fire in the days after Belaid’s assassination.

In an event with the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy Saturday (CSID), Ghannouchi called for dialogue.

Ennahdha founder Ghannouchi (left) sits at Saturday’s event organized by the CSID

“Dialogue with words is better than dialogue with bullets,” said the Ennahdha founder. “We have no choice, we are all on the same boat.”

Ghannouchi went on to warn that a counterrevolution in Tunisia was actively trying to deepen the political divisions in the country.

“The past is not dead,” said Ghannouchi, alleging that former regime elements are still in positions of influence.

During the pro-Ennahdha demonstration in Tunis’ main thoroughfare, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, protesters waved signs that read, “Political assassination… weapon of the enemies of the revolution.”

The number of demonstrators in support of the Islamist party reached around 3,000. The protest was peaceful, without clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

Protesters carried the Tunisian national flag as well as white banners inscribed with the Ennahdha party logo. Black banners bearing the Shahada – the Islamic declaration of faith – dotted the crowd as well.

Ennahdha supporters in front of the municipal theater

Signs with the face of Lotfi Zar, a policeman killed by a rock thrown during protests in Tunis on Wednesday, were numerous in the rally. Ghannouchi was critical during his public remarks that not enough attention was given to the death of Zar.

Pro-Ennahdha demonstrators repeatedly denounced France during the rally and accused it of interference in Tunisia’s domestic affairs.

“France, dégage (‘get out,’ in French)” could often be heard among the crowd’s chants.

The rally occurred one day after Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali and Foreign Affairs Minister Rafik Abdessalem met with French Ambassador to Tunisia François Gouyette to protest recent remarks by French Interior Minister Manuel Valls.

The pro-Ennahdha crowd also targeted Beji Caid Essebsi, longtime politician and founder of the opposition Nidaa Tounes party, in their chants and slogans. Detractors of Nidaa Tounes accuse it of including holdovers of the RCD party of ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

“Essebsi, you spiteful one, the RCD will not return,” cried out Ennahdha supporters.

On January 29, Nidaa Tounes signed a joint statement with two other opposition parties – Al Joumhouri and Al Massar – agreeing to form a united electoral and political front under the name of “Alliance for Tunisia.” They intend for the newly-established opposition front to “balance” the current political scene.

“Why did we revolt against Ben Ali? Because of corruption, oppression, and dignity,” Emad said. “Do you think there won’t be any corruption with Nidaa [Tounes]?”

As pro-Ennahdha supporters trickled out of Habib Bourguiba Avenue by Saturday evening, questions still lingered concerning the long-discussed cabinet reshuffle that Prime Minister Jebali intends to be technocratic in nature, despite resistance in his Ennahdha party.