Tunisia approves new constitution

2014-01-27 56

Members of the Tunisian national assembly overwhelmingly approved a new new constitution Sunday, marking one of the last steps to establishing a democratic government after the Arab Spring uprising in 2011.

After the vote was read out assembly members sang and danced and unfurled Tunisian flags.

Praised for its inclusiveness, the new constitution recognises Islam as the country's religion but also upholds freedom of conscience and belief, and equality between men and women.

A caretaker government will run the country until elections later this year.