Turkey Applauds Tunisian Presidential Elections

The Foreign Ministry has expressed its congratulations to Tunisia for the successful completion of the first round of the country's presidential elections on Sunday.

A statement on the Foreign Ministry website declares: "We celebrate the Tunisian people going to the ballot box for the first time in a direct presidential election, as they have successfully passed the test of democracy. We see the election's wide participation, transparent nature and calm environment as a result of the Tunisian people's faith in democracy. We believe the presidential election's second round will be carried out in the same sensible way. Turkey is continuing its efforts to support Tunisia on the road to democratization."

No candidate achieved a majority in the first round of the election, and the second round will be held on Friday between incumbent Moncef Marzouki and Beji Caid Essebsi.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)