SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF CHOKRI BELAID, LEADER OF TUNISIA'S DEMOCRATIC PATRIOTS MOVEMENT

NEW YORK, February 8, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the assassination yesterday of Mr. Chokri Belaid, Secretary-General of the Democratic Patriots Movement and one of the leaders of the Popular Front in Tunisia.

There has been important progress in Tunisia's transition. Yet, much remains to be done in terms of the constitutional process and with regard to meeting the social and economic demands of the Tunisian people.

The Secretary-General encourages the authorities to move the reform process forward. Tunisia's democratic transition should not be derailed by acts of political violence.