Encyclopedia of Islam

Tunisia

  

673  J

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Bourguiba’s foreign relations also provoked 

some unrest. His foreign policy was generally 

pro-Western; for example, during the Arab-Israeli 

War of June 1967, Bourguiba declined to break off 

relations with the United States, despite pressure 

to do so. In 1987, after more than three decades 

in power, Bourguiba was declared mentally unfit 

to rule. Prime Minister Zine el Abidine Ben Ali 

replaced him as president. Since then, Ben Ali has 

been elected president four times, in 1989, 1994, 

1999, and 2004. 

Tunisia’s economy has shown steady growth, 

with a diverse economy, healthy exports, renewed 

growth in tourism, agricultural production, and 

strong trade links with Europe. Industries include 

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and 

iron ore), tourism, and textiles.

See also b

erber

; 

colonialism

; i

slamism

; o

tto

-

man

 

dynasty

; 

secUlarism

.

Kate O’Halloran