Tunisia’s new parliament held its inaugural session on Tuesday, a landmark in the country’s often fraught transition to democracy since the 2011 revolution which sparked the Arab Spring

Tunisia's new parliament held its inaugural session on Tuesday, a landmark in the country's often fraught transition to democracy since the 2011 revolution which sparked the Arab Spring.
  
After the singing of the national anthem, National Constituent Assembly (NCA) speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar opened the gathering of 217 members of parliament who were elected in October.
  
"Tunisia has managed to secure a peaceful power transfer in a fluid and civilized manner that will ensure the gradual introduction of democratic traditions," he told deputies. Ben Jaafar then made way for the oldest member of the new parliament, Ali Ben Salem, who was cheered by fellow lawmakers and political party leaders invited to attend.
  
In keeping with tradition, Ben Salem was to preside over Tuesday's session, in which deputies were to vote for a new parliamentary speaker. Official results from the October 26 general election gave the secular Nidaa Tounes party 86 seats, beating Ennahda movement into second place with 69 seats.