AlQa'dah 26, 1432, Oct 24, 2011, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the people and interim government of Tunisia for the peaceful holding of the first free elections in the region. The historic legislative elections held Sunday were an important step, the secretary-general said in a statement issued by his office late Sunday. "This landmark election constitutes a key step in the democratic transition of the country," the statement said. "The secretary-general encourages all stakeholders to remain committed to the principles of inclusiveness and transparency throughout the remaining parts of the transition process," the statement added.
