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Former Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba Dies
by Abdelhamid Nagouri
TUNIS, April 6 (AFP) - Tunisia's “father of independence” and onetime president for life Habib Bourguiba died early Thursday aged 96 after a long illness.
Bourguiba, Tunisia's first president after independence from France in 1956, died at his family home in Monastir, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Tunis, where he is to buried Saturday, officials said.
Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has decreed seven days of national mourning from Thursday, the spokesman said.
Bourguiba's body is to be taken Friday from Monastir to Tunis, where he will lie in state at ruling party headquarters, in the March 20 Room commemorating Tunisia's independence.
He will be buried Saturday afternoon in the family mausoleum in Monastir, the presidency said.
Tunisians reacted calmly to the announcement of Bourguiba's death on the first day of the Muslim new year, while state radio began broadcasting verses from the Qur’an and flags flew at half-mast on public buildings.
Bourguiba was overthrown in a bloodless coup on November 7, 1987, following allegations that he had become senile. He had himself proclaimed president-for-life in 1975, after which civil dissension exacerbated by economic difficulties mounted.
Bourguiba was long considered one of the leading voices of moderation and gradualism in the Arab world, creating in Tunisia a pro-western, oppressive regime that sought to exclude religion from the Muslim society, in particular by guaranteeing women's rights.
Although most traces of Bourguiba's rule were removed from public places after his overthrow, he was treated respectfully by his successor President Ben Ali.
He was last seen publicly in May 1999 when Ben Ali visited him during a visit to the Monastir region.
French leaders were particularly saddened to see one of their major allies go. French President Jacques Chirac, who is to attend the funeral, described the former president as a "historic personality" and the "symbol of a great nation."
"At this turning of the page of history, the people of France feel close to the people of Tunisia," Chirac said in a message of condolence to Ben Ali. "They will never forget that President Bourguiba stayed a friend of France, and worked hard to establish the spirit of cooperation that reigns so happily between our two countries."
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, for his part, expressed his "deep sadness" over the death of Bourguiba, who he said had led his country "on the road of development and modernity."
Neighboring Algeria declared a three-day period of mourning, officials said, adding that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika would attend the funeral.
Bouteflika said Bourguiba had "marked the history of our region by his ... historic vision of regional and international relations."
Bourguiba divorced his French wife Mathilde Lorraine – but honored her in death as the mother of his only child by burying her at the family mausoleum – then married Wassila Ben Ammar, whom he divorced in 1986 and who died last year.
He is survived by Habib Bourguiba Junior, 72, a former diplomat and businessman.
Known by his compatriots as the "Supreme Combatant," Bourguiba, who led his country to independence, had been ill for some time.
He was rushed to a military hospital in Tunis one month ago and treated for a lung infection and extreme physical weakness.
Bourguiba remained in hospital for nine days before being allowed to return home, but never recovered.
His family had been by his bedside for the last three days.
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