France welcomes progress in Tunisia

France welcomed the appointment of Tunisian Industry Minister Mahdi Jomaa as the new premier, considering it an "important step," aimed at pulling the country out of a months-long political crisis. In a press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Vincent Floriani said that his country is witnessing progress in Tunisia, and hailed mediation efforts conducted by Tunisian Labor Unions and Tunisia Trade and Industry Union, and other parties involved. Floriani added his country calls on all parties involved to stick to its commitments and the roadmap to reach, as soon as possible, a consensus on the constitution and free election. Jomaa is a 51-year-old engineer with no stated political affiliation. He is married and has five children. He graduated from the National Engineering School of Tunis in 1988 before taking a higher degree in mechanics. He became industry minister following the formation in March of a new government led by Ali Larayedh in the crisis that erupted following the assassination a month earlier of key opposition figure Chokri Belaid.