In Tunisia, Clinton cites promise of Arab Spring TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday warned of backsliding in the democratic transformations under way in the Mideast and North Africa, and appealed for countries in the region to fulfill the promise of reform offered by the Arab Spring. In Tunisia, the catalyst for the tumult that engulfed the region last year, Clinton said the continued embrace of reforms would serve as a powerful example elsewhere. Her comments came amid concerns that transitions in Egypt and elsewhere are faltering and at risk of being hijacked by extremists. You were fearless on the front lines of the revolution, enduring tear gas and beatings. Later, in Algeria, she carried the same message: "The people of the Maghreb are as talented, creative and hard-working as people anywhere in the world. They need and deserve the opportunity to make decisions on behalf of themselves because that is good for the dignity and rights of every individual and it is good for every society. She spoke of the need for an accountable and effective government, a dynamic private sector and a vibrant civil society. The Maghreb countries are Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco, Clinton's final stop before returning to Washington on Sunday. In Algiers, Clinton noted that Algeria became an independent nation a half-century ago. Now for the next 50 years, Algeria needs to assume its rightful place as a nation among nations where prosperity, peace and security are available for the people. And the United States wants to be your partner. A partner of your government, a partner of your economy and a partner of your civil society to see these kinds of positive changes occur. Algeria's president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has said that elections set for May 10 would pave the way to rebuilding the state to one characterized by good governance and social justice. Mindful of electoral successes of their counterparts in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, Islamists in Algeria are predicting major victories during the election. But secular leaders have spoken of an "Algerian exception" to this trend, predicting the Islamists will not do well. Algeria has not witnessed the mass protests calling for reform that ripped through other North African nations. But there is widespread discontent over the lack of jobs and housing in the oil-rich country. Algeria also has a history of rejecting political victories by Islamists. State Department Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs: http://www.state.gov/p/nea/index.htm