We in Tunisia have no problem with respecting other peoples religion, and we have a long tradition of that.

What Tunisia urgently needs, is freedom and the building of a real democracy.

I believe democracy will succeed in Tunisia, but I also believe that it will succeed in the other Arab Spring countries.

There is no one in al-Nahda that is violence is a means of change or to keep power. Everyone in al-Nahda believes that democracy is the only way to reach power and to stay in power.

We in Tunisia have no problem with respecting other peoples religion, and we have a long tradition of that.

I dream of a free, democratic, peaceful Tunisia, a country that can protect its developing identity.

I will not be standing for office. I'm nearing 70; there are younger people within our movement. I just wish to contribute intellectually to the historic process of taking Tunisia from the era of repression to one of democracy.