Tunisian Union Leader Wins Nobel Peace Prize

A Tunisian union leader who played a key role in democracy-building that won the Nobel Peace prize says he's ``overwhelmed'' by the gesture.

Houcine Abassi says his union, as well as a human rights group, a trade group and a lawyers group _ known as the quartet _ joined together to try to ``bring the country out of crisis.''

Tunisian protesters sparked uprising across the Arab world in 2011 that overthrew dictators and upset the status quo.

Tunisia is the only country in the region to painstakingly build a democracy.

French President Francois Hollande says the Nobel Peace Prize for Tunisia is a signal to the world to support the country against extremists and internal strife.

Hollande also paid special tribute to the women activists among the quartet of disparate groups awarded Friday for keeping Tunisia on its democratic path after the Arab Spring uprisings.

``I am happy for all Tunisians,'' Hollande said after a speech Friday in Paris, noting that he had met members of the quartet.

``This is an encouragement to support Tunisia even more through all the hard times it faces, as we've seen with terrorist acts in last weeks and months,'' Hollande said.

Tunisia was once under French rule and still has significant trade with France and many French speakers.