Tunisian PM Meets with Congressional Members

“Tunisia could be a model for several countries of the region if it managed to achieve the objectives of last January 14 revolution,” Interim Prime Minister Béji Caid Essebsi stated at a series of talks in Washington with US congress members, including Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX). Boehner commended Essebi and his people for creating a “democratic government that provides political, economic, social, and religious opportunity for all.” At a separate meeting, Daniel Inouye (D-HI) expressed his support for Tunisia’s democratic process and his admiration for the Tunisian Revolution.

Meanwhile, Ahram Online conducted an interview with Ayyad bin Ashour, the chairman of the Supreme Authority for Achieving the Goals of the Revolution (SAAGR), an independent body tasked with giving advice to ease the North African country’s path to representative government after decades of autocratic rule. Bin Ashour is in charge of examining legislation for political reform and presenting proposals to Tunisia’s interim president and prime minister. On a related note, the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy hosted a conference to examine Tunisia’s political discourse and the conditions needed for successful elections.