Tunisia PM Hails "Excellent, Deepening" Ties with Qatar

Tunis, May 18 (QNA) - Relations between Qatar and Tunisia are excellent and deepening, according to Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh who arrived in Doha and is set to participate in the 13th Doha Forum, which kicks off Monday. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Saturday, Laarayedh said Qatar was one of the leading brotherly and friendly countries to support the Tunisian revolution, noting that the Tunisian people and authorities recognize favors of all the supporting sides. He added that bilateral relations saw a huge leap after the revolution and bilateral cooperation is steadily growing in the different areas, pointing to Doha's financial support and investments in Tunisia. Asked about attempts by some Tunisian sides to disturb Qatar-Tunisian relations, Laarayedh rejected what he said behaviors by people who do not care about Tunisia's interests. Laarayedh added that bilateral cooperation includes political consultation on regional and international issues such as the Syrian crisis, the war in Mali and the Palestinian issue. Laarayedh stressed his country's rejection of the Israeli aggression against Syria, underlining support for Syrians in determining their rulers in a free and democratic way, and support for any solution that preserves Syrian blood and land. On Mali, he said Tunisia is in favour of accelerating operations in order to end this war as soon as possible and guarantee the sovereignty of the country and instill a system that satisfies citizens. Laarayedh reiterated Tunisia's support for Palestinian struggle against the "mutual enemy," and Palestinian sovereignty and all initiatives that helps in achieving this end. Laarayedh said he is hopeful elections will be held as scheduled before the end of the year, but added that the process will be determined by the Constituent Assembly and the government as well as national consensus among political parties and social dialogue. As for religious extremism, the Tunisian official distinguished between peaceful extremists, whom he said can be handled through guidance and dialogue, and terrorists. He said that those who are proved to have resorted to violence will be prosecuted and put to trial, noting that the state is determined to tackle anyone that breaks the law or threatens society and public order. (QNA)