Obama invites new Tunisian leader to Washington

After congratulating Tunisia’s new interim premier on the formation of a new government and a landmark constitution, U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday extended to him an invitation to Washington.

In a phone call with Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, Obama commended all of Tunisia’s political parties for working together to secure gains made since the country’s 2011 revolution, which overthrew Tunisia’s former dictator and sparked the broader Arab Spring movement.

“The president commended the efforts of all of Tunisia’s parties to work together to secure the gains made since the start of Tunisia’s revolution, which inspired people around the world,” said a White House statement.

The statement said Obama invited the prime minister to visit Washington later this year to continue to build the U.S.-Tunisian relationship.

Three years after the uprising against autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali inspired revolts across the region, Tunisia adopted a new constitution last week and a technocrat government formally took over until elections this year.

Jomaa’s new government will be focused on restoring security and reviving the economy. Jomaa is also tasked with guiding Tunisia to elections for a new parliament and a president later this year.

The new government resulted from a compromise between Tunisia’s Islamist party and their secular opponents.

(With AFP and AP)