Britain welcomes Jomaa's selection as Tunisian PM

The British government welcomed on Monday the naming of Mahdi Jomaa as the new Tunisian Prime Minister, until general election next year. "I warmly welcome the announcement of Mr Mehdi Jomaa as Tunisia's new Head of Government," Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement. "On the eve of the third anniversary of Mohammad Bouazizi's protest, the event that sparked the Arab Spring, this step demonstrates Tunisia's commitment to taking forward democratic transition. "We hope all Tunisia's leaders will work together quickly to finalise a constitution and a date for elections in order to embed political freedoms, revive economic growth and underpin security," said Hague. On 17 December, Tunisia, and the world, will remember the events in Sidi Bouzid, which inspired change and calls for democracy and human dignity far beyond Tunisia's borders, he said. "Through our Arab Partnership programme, the EU, G8, and other international bodies, the UK remains committed to helping Tunisia build the democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms which we believe are the strongest foundations for long-term prosperity and security," Hague added.