TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A United States Congressional delegation has visited Tunisia to express American support for the country's upcoming elections. The delegation of representatives, led by David Dreier (R-CA), met with Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi and heads of political parties on Monday as part of a regional tour. Dreier said they were here to encourage Tunisia, which sparked uprisings across the region when it overthrew its long time dictator in January.
Dreier described the Arab Spring as a defeat for al-Qaida. James McDermott (D-WA) counseled patience for Tunisia's youth who were at the forefront of the uprising, cautioning that "elections are just the beginning." He added that U.S. observers would be there for the Oct. 23 elections for an assembly to write the new constitution.
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