US ready to support reforms in Tunisia

Nancy Pelosi, member of the US Democratic Party and House of Representatives minority leader led a Congressional delegation to Tunisia on a two-day visit on Friday, where members of the US Congress met with high-ranking Tunisian officials including Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. "The United States will spare no effort to support the democratic transition in Tunisia and the reforms projected by the Tunisian government", said Pelosi. At the end of her meeting with Jebali, Pelosi paid tribute to the Tunisian revolution which, she said, helped establish a climate of freedom, democracy and transparency in Tunisia. The delegation voiced their commitment to strengthen relations with Tunisia and provide necessary assistance to help it achieve the objectives of its revolution and consolidate its standing as a model-nation for the region. According to a statement of the Presidency of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) Mustapha Ben Jaafar said during meeting with Pelosi: "Tunisia achieved important steps in the consensual framework in order to help the democratic transition. This democratic transition succeeded due to the national efforts exerted in meeting the developmental challenges and the support of the friendly countries, including the United States of America." Meanwhile, Ben Jaafar stressed that the Tunisian society was a moderate one, and was open to universal principles of freedom, democracy and equality. Pelosi was accompanied by Congressman George Miller of California, Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York, and Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota.