Presidential campaign opens in Tunisia after Essebsi death

Campaigning for Tunisia's presidential election has opened, with 26 candidates vying to replace late leader Beji Caid Essebsi.

Seven million Tunisians are expected to head to the ballot box in the September 15 poll, which was brought forward from November following Essebsi's death in July.

Essebsi,Tunisia's first democratically-elected president, took office in the wake of the 2011 uprising that overthrew former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked revolts across the Arab world.

The North African country has faced economic woes and repeated militant attacks -- including a gun battle in the northwest on Monday that killed a national guard officer and three suspected militants.

"Terrorists are still around but Tunisia is stronger," said Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, among those vying for the presidency.

The vote comes with Tunisia's political class divided by internal conflicts, including a struggle between Chahed and Essebsi's son, leading the premier to quit the ruling Nidaa Tounes party and form Tahia Tounes.

The latter has since become the second largest party in parliament, behind the extremist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Aged 43, Chahed is Tunisia's youngest prime minister, but since he took office his popularity has been hit by instability, inflation and unemployment.