Tunisian quartet's efforts exemplary: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday congratulated the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, a coalition of civil society groups, on winning the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a letter, the 1989 Nobel Peace laureate wrote: "The quartet's persistent efforts to bring divergent parties back to the process of dialogue and reconciliation in the face of enormous challenges has been exemplary."

"What they have achieved is an inspiration to all of us who seek to promote freedom and democracy through peaceful dialogue and non-violence," he added.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee said the Quartet was formed in 2013 when the democratisation process in Tunisia was in danger of collapsing as a result of political assassinations and widespread social unrest.

The grouping established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war, the committee said.

The National Dialogue Quartet consists of four key organisations in Tunisian civil society: the Tunisian General Labour Union; the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts; the Tunisian Human Rights League; and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers.

"This year's Nobel Peace Prize will serve to encourage many other individuals and organisations committed to resolving conflict through dialogue and peaceful means," the Dalai Lama added.

The Dalai Lama has been living in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan exile administration is based in this northern Indian hill town.