Brussels, 12/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 12 October, the president of the Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, welcomed the progress made towards democracy in the Middle East but condemned the violence in the region, at the opening of the plenary session in Brussels. Buzek welcomed the coming of stability in Libya, whilst expressing his concern over refugee distress. He also welcomed the fact that Tunisia seems to be moving towards free elections, and stated that he intended to visit the country in the next few weeks to transmit the willingness of the Parliament to engage in neighbourhood cooperation. He spoke out against the recent violence in Egypt, calling on the authorities not to incite discord but to promote religious tolerance. He also condemned recent violence in Syria and Yemen, calling on the international community to "stand up to their brutal regimes". (LC/transl.fl)