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In January 1993 Tunisia assumed the annual presidency of the UAM. The Government made clear its
determination to reactivate the process of Maghreb union, as well as dialogue with the European Community (EC, now European Union).
In April 1994 the UMA ratified 11 agreements designed to improve co-operation and trade within the Maghreb; further meetings of the UMA continued to be held on an annual basis. |
During 1992 the Tunisian Government attempted to negotiate a solution to the problem of the Lockerbie
bombing suspects, whom Libya refused to release for trial. In April 1993 President Ben Ali visited Libya and consulted with President Mubarak of Egypt in a further bid to resolve the deadlock and remove economic
sanctions imposed by the UN on Libya.
Relations with Algeria improved appreciably after the second round of Algerian elections were suspended in January 1992; and Tunisia
welcomed the appointment of Muhammad Boudiaf as Chairman of the High Council of State, as well as the suppression of the FIS.
During a visit to Tunis in February 1993; Boudiaf´s successor, Ali Kafi, exchanged letters with Ben Ali to ratify the official
demarcation of the 1,000-km border between Tunisia and Algeria, which had been the subject of dispute between the two countries since Algerian independence.
Ben Ali and Kafi also pledged to work together to counter the threat of terrorism in the region. In early 1995
six Tunisian border guards were killed in an attack perpetrated by Algerian Islamists in protest at the Tunisian authorities´ alleged support for the Algerian security forces.
In July 1957 the Assembly deposed the Bey, abolished the monarchy and established a republic, with Bourguiba
as Head of State. A new Constitution was promulgated in June 1959.
At elections held in November Bourguiba
was elected unopposed to the new office of President, and the Neo-Dustour Party won all 90 seats in the new National Assembly.
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On 7 November 1987 seven doctors declared that President Bourguiba was unfit to govern, owing to senility
and ill health. In accordance with the Constitution, Ben Ali was sworn in as President.
Hedi Baccouche (previously Minister of Social Affairs) was appointed Prime Minister, and a new Council Ministers was
announced, which excluded several close associates of Bourguiba. Ben Ali announced plans to reform the Constitution and to permit greater political freedom.
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In October 1994 Tunisia and Israel signalled the beginning of the normalization of bilateral relations with
the announcement of plans to establish interests offices in the Belgian embassies in Tunis and Tel-Aviv.
The offices opened in April and May 1996, respectively. Relations between the two countries were strained in early 1997, following Tunisia´s criticism of Israel´s alleged failure to implement agreements
concluded with the PLO; however, Tunisia denied reports in the Israeli press in August that it intended to close the interests office in Tel-Aviv.
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