Lieberman: "A new era of bilateral relations"

"The process of democratic transition in Tunisia  is paving the way for new opportunities for political and economic cooperation between Tunisia and the United States and a new era of bilateral relations," he told reporters after Mr. Lieberman's meeting with Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem, reports TAP.

"U.S. assistance will affect several sectors including the security field to help Tunisia to maintain its security," he said.

Lieberman added that he will have talks during his visit to Tunisia "open horizons of effective cooperation."

Abdessalem noted that this visit testafies to the commitment of the United States to support democratic change in Tunisia and to translate this "into action" to support efforts made​​ by Tunisia to control unemployment and stimulate regional development.

The US government faced considerable criticism in Tunisia for its longterm support for the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

This led to a realignment of American policy away from supporting dictatorships in Egypt and Libya as well as Syria and Lebanon.