USA Today 24 October 2011 TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) – Tunisian authorities counted votes Monday in the first free election in the nation's history, with early signs that a once-banned Islamist party is leading in the country that unleashed uprisings across the Arab world. Radio Mosaique FM posted results from polling stations around the country Monday, with many showing a commanding lead for the moderate Islamist party Ennahda. An Ennahda victory in

XINHUA 24 October 2011 TUNIS, Oct 24 (Xinhua) – Heads of European observer delegations Monday hailed the election of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) in Tunisia as free and fair. "The elections were free and observers did not witness any widespread or systematic irregularities," said Riccardo Migliori, leader of the observer delegation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). "The low-key and generally peaceful

COPENHAGEN, 24 October 2011 - OSCE PA President Petros Efthymiou today expressed his condolences to the people of Turkey after an earthquake in the eastern part of the country killed more than 200 people and left many more injured. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey. In the aftermath of this devastating event, I hope the people of Ercis and other affected communities will receive the

TUNIS, 21 October 2011 – The international observers attending the elections to the National Constituent Assembly in Tunisia will present a post-election statement at a news conference on Monday 24 October. Italian parliamentarian Riccardo Migliori, leading the delegation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly, and Swiss parliamentarian Andreas Gross, leading the delegation of the Parliamentary

President Efthymiou is briefed on voting procedures by CEC Chairman Vladimir Churov. MOSCOW, 19 October 2011 – OSCE PA President Petros Efthymiou has completed a two-day visit to Moscow during which he held constructive and fruitful discussions regarding the forthcoming observation of the Russian parliamentary elections to take place on 4 December. He met with Chairman of the Central Election Commission Vladimir Churov, Foreign Minister Sergey

Secolo d'Italia 23 November 2011 -- Will growing political stability in Tunisia be able to block or at least mitigate immigration? Italy and Europe need democratic stability in the Maghreb. This will require greater economic-commercial relations and political collaboration in order to relaunch development in the region. It is important to remember that both GDP and life expectancy have gone up in Tunisia in recent years, while the birth rate