Statue of Ex-Tunisia President Removed
City workers Tuesday removed the statue of former President for Life Habib Bourguiba from its prominent place in central Tunis as astonished passers-by looked on.
Bourguiba, 85 and living under surveillance in a villa south of the capital, was ousted from power in 1987 because he had allegedly become senile.
“The present regime is not trying to hide history,” said Tunis Mayor Ahmed Belkhoja. “The statue is not in the right place. It will be transferred to La Goulette.”
La Goulette is a port three miles outside Tunis where Bourguiba landed in June, 1955. The equestrian statue is supposed to symbolize “the triumphal return” of the young nationalist from France, which granted Tunis independence in 1956.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
