Essebsi: My goal is to make Tunisia a 21st century country Campaigning opened Saturday for a presidential election in Tunisia, birthplace of the Arab Spring, with secularist frontrunner Beji Caid Essebsi gearing up for the battle despite his advanced age. In an interview with AFP Essebsi, a pillar of the old guard who has vowed to restore the prestige of the state, said he will battle to gain absolute majority in the election to push Tunisia into the 21st century. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES