"Welcoming Mediterranean beaches"

"Even as the prime minister pledged to release prisoners, security forces were apprehending others in their homes, including a spokesman for the outlawed Communist Party who had became a major voice of the protests in foreign media."   Of course, the New York Times wants you to know that "Tunisia is in some ways the most European country of North Africa, with a relatively large middle class, liberal social norms and broad gender equality, and welcoming Mediterranean beaches." (thanks Richard)