Tunisia has lifted a state of emergency that has been in place since early 2011, according to a statement by the Tunisian presidency Thursday. The decision, by Tunisian President and Commander in Chief Moncef Marzouki with consultations with the parliament speaker, the prime minister and the national security council, went into effect on Wednesday, the statement said. Over the past three years, Tunisia has grappled with difficult security situation, political crises, and organized violence blamed on religious militants. Prime Minister Mehdi Jemaa said on Monday that security is improving in Tunisia.