Former Tunisian president dies at 97
Tunisia, People, 4/7/2000

The spokesman for the Tunisian Presidency said the funeral ceremony for former Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba will be on April 8, afternoon at his birthplace in al-Manister.

The late Tunisian president was born on March 3, 1903 to a lower middle class family. He had his secondary school certificate (Baccalaureate) in 1924. He had a BA in law in 1927 from Paris University and had leading positions at the Constitutional Free Party since 1933.

The late Tunisian president took part in efforts against the French occupation of his country. In 1945 he headed for the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo to explain his country's case before it, and he did the same on the international level.

Following independence Bourguiba was elected as President of Tunisia until the year 1987, when current President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, who was then the prime minister, assumed power.

Meanwhile, Tunisia announced a seven-day mourning as of Thursday, April 6, at the decision of President Ben Ali.

In a statement broadcast in Tunisia, the spokesman for the Tunisian presidency said that the body of the late president will be taken from al-Minister to the capital, where it will be laid at the premises of the ruling party for the " final look."

The spokesman added that the body of the late President will be immediately then taken back to al-Manister where a national funeral will be held.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian official radio suspended its programs immediately after the news of the Bourqeiba's death and verses from the holy Koran are been recited.

Previous Stories:
  Habib Bourguiba   (4/6/2000)

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