Secretary Clinton meets Tunisia's Interim president Mebazaa amidst anti-U.S. demonstrations

[News_Editor]

Secretary Clinton meets Tunisia's Interim president Mebazaa amidst anti-U.S. demonstrations

2011-03-18 03:54:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS, TUNISIA (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday met with Tunisian Interim President Foued Mebazaa amidst anti-U.S. demonstrations in the capital city Tunis.

According to the state-run TAP news agency, Mebazaa and Clinton held a meeting after the Secretary arrived from Egypt. Both leaders discussed ways to reinforce cooperation and partnership in various fields of mutual interest.

Mebazaa remarked the important steps made by Tunisia on the path of democratic transition after the January 14 Revolution. He also highlighted the efforts made to to consolidate the foundations of the state of law and institutions, to reinforce human rights and freedom.

Clinton said that the United States have great admiration for the Tunisian Revolution which she labeled as "a major historic event" and "an example worth following." She also said the reforms started are path to achieve the goals of the movement.

The State Secretary also expressed that the U.S. is ready to support Tunisia throughout this important and sensitive transition in order to fulfill the needs of the Tunisian people.

Furthermore, Secretary Clinton reassured the Obama administration's will to improve bilateral cooperation in the economic field and boost investment in the North African country.

"We need a plan for economic development, for jobs; the Tunisian people deserve that. The revolution created so many hopes, and now we have to translate those hopes into results, and that comes through economic reform and political reform," said Clinton before the meeting.

"I’m going to be sending a delegation from the United States to know what Tunisia wants. We want to hear from Tunisians, and then we want to work on plans," added Clinton at the Tunisian Red Crescent Training Center.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside the Foreign Affairs Ministry in opposition to the visit of Clinton to Tunis. Protesters shouted such slogans such as "Tunisia is forever free," "No American tutelage on Tunisian and Arab lands" and "Hillary, Go!"

As a safety measure, the meeting scheduled between Foreign Minister Mohamed Mouldi Kéfi and Clinton, as well as the news conference after the meeting, were cancelled.

Mebazaa's caretaker government has been dismantling all ties with the previous government of ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Recently, the Democratic Constitutional Rally Party (RCD) and the State Security Division were dissolved.

Both were controlled by Ben Ali and all its funds and properties were transferred to the state. The security division was known as Ben Ali's secret police which perpetrated several human rights abuses.

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