Ban Ki-Moon hails ''peaceful'' and ''orderly'' elections in Tunisia

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon hailed the ''peaceful'' and ''orderly'' elections for the Constituent Assembly in Tunisia saying this ballot represents a major step for democratic transition in Tunisia, according to a communiqué published on Sunday on the UN website . "The Secretary General congratulates Tunisia's people and interim authorities on the peaceful, orderly and historical elections for a Constituent Assembly. He hails the role played by the Independent Higher Authority for Elections (IHAE) to ensure the transparency of the elections," said Ban Ki-Moon's spokesman according to the same source. "This historical election represents a major step in the process of democratic change in North Africa and in the Middle East in general " he added. The UN Secretary General expressed satisfaction at the fact that the UN could provide technical assistance, at the request of the authorities, to support these elections organised and managed by Tunisia. "The Secretary General underlines that Tunisia's people and authorities can always rely on the United Nations' total support", the spokesman also said.