Tunis — Human Rights and Transitional Justice Minister Samir Dilou received, on Tuesday in Tunis, the new U.S. Ambassador in Tunisia, Mr. Jacob Walles.

At the end of the talk, Mr. Walles pointed out that the meeting had allowed to look at progress of the democratic transition process in Tunisia, reasserting his country's determination to back up establishment of democracy in the country.

"We encourage the Tunisian people to continue on the path of democracy," he argued.

To a question on the likelihood of co-operation between the two countries in the human rights field, the U.S. official explained that he had discussed the issue with Mr. Dilou and that some proposals had been submitted in this regard, but he did not further elaborate.

Mr. Walles also voiced his country's commitment to lend economic support to Tunisia and to help it overcome the difficulties encountered in this area after the January 14 Revolution.

The issues of women, freedom of speech, human rights values, security in the country, the situation in the inland regions and of minorities had all been reviewed during the meeting, Mr. Walles added.