JEDDAH — Tunisia Consulate General celebrated 59th Tunisian Independence Day Sunday.
Consul General Fathi Neffati and his wife along with other consulate members received guests.
Senior officials, consuls general and ambassadors of several Arab and non-Arab countries as well as many Saudi businessmen attended the event.
Tunisian and Saudi national anthems were played at the beginning of the ceremony followed by speeches from Neffati and Ambassador Mohammad Ahmad Tayeb, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah region, and permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Neffati said: "In today's celebration we remember all efforts done by everyone to obtain Tunisia liberty and independence which mirrors the Tunisians struggle against colonization and tyranny for the sake of dignity and glory."
Neffati delivered his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muqrin, and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif as well as all Saudi princes, officials and Saudi people.
In his speech, Neffati talked about the long lasting relations between the two countries of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia based on the strong bonds of religion and language, in addition to bilateral cooperation in all fields that connect the two countries and peoples.
Neffati condemned last week's attack on Tunisia's national museum as one of the worst militant attacks.
Neffati also invited all guests to visit the Tunisian Tourism Caravan that will be held in Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on April 13.
On the same theme, Tayeb also reviled the same attack and all other attacks and terrorism happening in some Arab countries such as Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Egypt.
He also expressed his pleasure about the ceremony on the celebration of Tunisian 59th Independence Day marking the dignity of Tunisian people. Tayeb stressed that Saudi Arabia and Tunisia's bilateral, strong, well-rooted relations are based on religion and brotherhood.
Neffati, Tayeb and Arab, Gulf and foreign countries' consuls general cut the celebration cake.
March 20, 1956 marks the end of the French colonial period, and the beginning of an era when Tunisia was recognized as a modern state.
