President Rouhani Congratulates New President of Tunisia

In a message to his Tunisian counterpart, Rouhani congratulated Essebsi on his victory in the recent presidential election, and hoped for further deepening of friendly bilateral relations between Tehran and Tunis.

The Iranian president also expressed the support of Iranian nation and government for the Muslim people of Tunisia, and wished health and success for the newly-elected president.

Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had described the successful holding of election in the African country as an outcome of integration of diverse political groups.

Beji Caid Essebsi won Tunisia's first free presidential election in December, beating rival and incumbent Moncef Marzouki with 55.68 percent of the vote.

Habib Essidi, a former Tunisian interior minister, was also nominated on Monday as prime minister to form a new government after an agreement among political parties in the newly elected parliament, Tunisian congress speaker Mohamed Nacer announced.