Obama congratulates Tunisian PM on new constitution

U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jemaa on the passage of a new constitution and the formation of a new government, the White House said on Monday. In a phone call between the leaders, Obama commended the efforts of all Tunisian parties to secure the gains made since the start of Tunisia's revolution, said a statement issued by the White House. Tunisia's new government led by Jemaa was sworn in on Wednesday. A few days earlier, Tunisia approved its first post-uprising constitution, an achievement that was hailed by the international community as a step forward in strengthening the North African country's fragile political transition after the ouster of former president Zine Abidine Ben Ali. Obama invited Jemaa to visit Washington later this year to continue to build the U.S.-Tunisian relationship, the statement said. The United States will continue to be a friend and partner to Tunisia to support its democratic transition, to bolster security, and to promote a more peaceful and prosperous future, the statement added.