Cash-Tight Tunisia Snubs Qatari Aid Plan as Risking Independence

Tunisia’s parliament barred a state-run Qatari fund from expanding into the cash-strapped North African country, a potential setback for efforts to revive the economy and stave off default.

Lawmakers aligned with President Kais Saied led the charge against the proposal for the Qatar Fund for Development to open a Tunis branch. Approval was key for the swift release of some $150 million in immediate financing and to pave the way for additional support from the wealthy Gulf nation.