NEW YORK: The world’s major industrialized nations are promising concrete actions with a long-term political and economic impact to support Arab and North African countries as they put in place "the building blocks of democracy" after uprisings against authoritarian rulers.
Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight said in a declaration after a meeting Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that "the Arab Spring is today a source of great hope" but also poses a political and economic challenge "that requires immediate and concerted action."
Last May, the G8 launched a partnership with Tunisia and Egypt, the first countries to revolt against longtime strongmen. It has now been expanded to Morocco, Jordan and most recently Libya.
