Iranian FM warns Tunisia against foreign plots

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian warned Tunisian people and officials to keep vigilant against the plots hatched by certain foreign powers to hijack the African nation's revolution.Speaking in a meeting with a visiting delegation of Tunisian university teachers, lawyers, writers, journalists, physicians and political activists here in Tehran on Monday, the Iranian deputy foreign minister described Tunisians as the flag-bearer of revolutions and Arab Spring in the region. He expressed the hope that people and officials in the African country would maintain their vigilance against the plots hatched by certain foreign powers to hijack revolutions in the interest of their own illegitimate goals and interests. He hoped that Tunisians would protect the achievements of their revolution and set a model for the other regional nations by defusing such plots. The Tunisian delegation came to Iran earlier this month to attend the Fifth International Conference on the Palestinian Intifada on October 1-2. Tunisians overthrew Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011 after a month-long popular uprising that inspired similar movements across the region. More than 200 people were killed in Tunisia's revolution, according to a United Nations report. Ben Ali's regime has been accused of widespread corruption as his relatives controlled much of the business sector in the country. Since the fall of Benn Ali, Tunisia has seen an explosion of political activity, with the formation of 111 political parties, which are now preparing for an upcoming election. Campaigns for the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) which is to draft Tunisia's new constitution and supervise public affairs during transition period started on October 1. The electoral campaign for the Tunisian expatriates had already started on September 28 and will continue until October 18. According to the preliminary statistics provided by the Independent Higher Authority for the Elections (IHAE), the number of candidates taking part in the NCA race stands at 10,937. A total of 81 parties will be competing in the election in 785 lists together with another 676 lists of independent candidates across 33 constituencies for 217 seats. Those elected will have a year to write a constitution to determine how Tunisia will be governed before elections for a parliament are held.