TUNIS
Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahda movement, expressed his appreciation on Friday for U.S. efforts in helping Tunisia's democratic transition succeed.
Ghannouchi's comments came during a meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation headed by U.S. Senator John McCain.
The Ennahha leader expressed "his appreciation for the efforts of Tunisia's friends, including the United States, in helping the country's democratic experiment to succeed," the party said in statement.
He also voiced hope that such support would "continue in order to help Tunisia bolster its economy, employment rates and overall development."
"The congressional delegation, led by Senator John McCain, expressed its admiration for the Tunisian experiment and its appreciation for the efforts of Tunisian politicians to realize the country's democratic transition," Ennahha said.
Earlier Friday, the new government of Prime Minister Habib Essid was sworn in in the presence of President Beji Caid Essebsi in the presidential palace in Tunis.
In Tunisia's 217-seat parliament, Essid's secular Nidaa Tounes party holds 86 seats, while Ennahda holds 69.
