Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi and said he was suspending parliament after the recent anti-government protests.

Speaking at a Sunday meeting with the leadership of the army and security forces, Saied said that the decision should have been made “several months ago,” and that he would now take executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister, to be appointed later.

The Tunisian president also decided to suspend immunity for all members of parliament. He emphasized that all of his actions were in line with the law and reflected people’s demands. Earlier on Sunday, protests were held in a number of Tunisian cities with demonstrators demanding that the government step down.