World Bulletin / News Desk

President Moncef Marzouki on Thursday ordered the lifting of the country's state of emergency, in place since January 2011 when the first "Arab Spring" uprising erupted against former dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Marzouki took the decision based on recommendations by Tunisia's National Security Council and following consultations with the prime minister and parliament speaker, according to a statement by the presidency.

The presidency added that the move would not undermine the ability of law enforcement agencies or prevent police from seeking the army's help if deemed necessary.

The Ben Ali regime first declared the state of emergency following the eruption of the 2011 uprising.

That uprising – which eventually led to the autocrat's ouster and subsequent departure to Saudi Arabia – triggered a series of similar uprisings in other Arab states, including Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria.