Tunisia abuses 'ignored by West'

Nasraoui (pictured) and Hamami are vocal critics of Ben Ali

Tunisian human rights activists have accused France and the US of turning a blind eye to repression, torture and unfair trials in their country.

Radhia Nasraoui and husband Hamma Hammami said the Bush administration overlooked abuses to win Tunisian backing for actions in the Middle East.

Speaking at a Geneva press conference, Communist leader Mr Hammami, called Tunisia's leader a "dictator".

President Zine el-Din Ben Ali was invited to the White House in February.

He has ruled Tunisia since 1987 and was re-elected in 1999 with 99.5% of the vote.

'Empty election'

Communist leader Mr Hammami has been repeatedly imprisoned in Tunisia, while lawyer Ms Nasraoui staged a two-month hunger strike in 2003 to protest against alleged government harasment.

Tunisia's leader was honoured with an Oval Office meeting

The next round of elections is set for October, but Mr Hammami said it would be a "masquerade".

"The problem is the support [Mr Ben Ali] finds among Western governments - in the European Union, especially France, and the US - who have not said anything about his candidacy.

"One senses implicitly that they want him to stay indefinitely in power because he serves their interests," Mr Hammami said, in remarks quoted by Reuters news agency.

The Tunisian authorities have always denied Ms Nasraoui's accusations of harasment, saying she has been allowed to practise freely in the country.