Obama Invites New Tunisian President to Washington

U.S. President Barack Obama has invited Tunisia's first democratically elected president to visit Washington, the White House said Monday.

Beji Caid Essebsi won Tunisia's first free presidential election last month. The revolution that toppled long-time ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali four years ago unleashed the so called Arab Spring.

Obama called Essebsi Monday to congratulate him on his victory and hailed the "spirit of peaceful compromise" that Tunisians displayed during their period of transition.

The White House said no date has yet been set for the new Tunisian leader to come to Washington.