SOUNDBITE (English) Barack Obama, US President: “In recognition of the importance that we place on the security and diplomatic relationship with Tunisia, I indicated to the President my intention to designate Tunisia as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.” SOUNDBITE (English) Barack Obama, US President: “We discussed the importance of security and the recognition that given the instability in the region it is important for us to continue to partner effectively in counter-terrorism efforts, but also in our efforts to stabilise Libya and bring the parties together so that we don’t have a failed state and a power vacuum that ends up infecting the situation in Tunisia as well.”