The overwhelming majority of refugees who fled the conflict in northern Mali were unable to vote in the first round of the presidential election because their identity cards had not reached them, according to a report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Tunisia’s President Moncef Marzouki invited the Tunisian people as well as political parties and components of civil society to “leave their differences aside” during the 3-day Eid break, in a televised message

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Thursday called on all parties in Egypt to open dialogue, saying France is ready to assist any political process to reduce the conflict in the country.