EU Foreign Policy Chief In Tunisia

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi (right) met with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton in Tunis.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is in Tunisia for meetings with Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi and other officials.

An interim government was set up in Tunisia after a popular revolt forced the president of 23 years into exile a month ago, igniting pro-democracy protests across the Arab world.

Tunis is now planning an international conference seeking economic and political support for its democratic transition.

Ashton's visit also comes as Italian authorities appealed for help in containing a flood of refugees who have arrived by boat from Tunisia in recent days.

compiled from agency reports