Russia welcomes elections in Tunisia

Russia welcomed Sunday’s election in Tunisia and called upon the authorities to continue the policy of reforms in the public's interest, Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. “While welcoming this event for Tunisia, we expect to continue efforts to hold the country’s radical transformation in the interests of all sectors of Tunisian society and a democratic polity based on liberty, the priority of law and respect for human rights,” the Ministry said in a statement. Tunisian voters went to the polls on Sunday to vote in the country’s first free democratic election, 10 months after the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. According to preliminary reports, at least 70% of voters took part in the vote. The results of the elections are expected to be announced on Tuesday. “In Russia we support the desire of the people and authorities of Tunisia for fundamental change,” the statement said. Popular protests swept Tunisia in mid-December, forcing Ben Ali, who had ruled the North African country for 23 years, to flee to Saudi Arabia. Tunisians took to the streets again in late February, forcing Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to resign. The Tunisia uprising set off protests around the Arab world.