His Majesty King Saud’s Visit to Tunisia
His Majesty accepted the invitation of the Tunisian government and arrived on the afternoon of Thursday, 21 Dhul‑Hijjah 1376 AH. He was received at the airport by His Highness the Bey of Tunisia, Prime Minister Habib Bourguiba, ministers, and leading figures of the nation.
It was a noble encounter under the sky of Arab brotherhood, rich with history and shared destiny.
Official and popular ceremonies followed in succession. At the grand state banquet held in His Majesty’s honor, His Highness the Bey bestowed upon the King the nation’s highest decoration — the Order of Independence (Grand Cordon) — and presented distinguished decorations to the princes and members of the royal entourage.
His Majesty performed the Friday prayer at the historic Zaytouna Mosque, then proceeded through streets filled with cheering crowds to the residence of the current President of the Republic — Habib Bourguiba — who had invited His Majesty for a luncheon.
The residence was filled with senior officials, dignitaries, government leaders, citizens, and ambassadors, with His Highness Bey Muhammad al‑Amin at the forefront. Speeches and poems were delivered in praise of the great Arab monarch and guardian of Islamic affairs.
Before the ceremony concluded, Bourguiba announced that His Majesty had donated $20,000 — half to earthquake victims and half to charitable organizations in Tunisia.
The Tunisian press was no less enthusiastic than the government and the public. Newspapers highlighted the visit in their editorials, competing in publishing articles praising the King’s achievements in the land of revelation — his reforms, assistance, negotiations, and influence — noting that through such actions he had become a refuge for Arab peoples.
On Friday evening, His Majesty boarded his private Saudi aircraft bound for the sister nation of Libya. His Highness Bey Muhammad al‑Amin, President Bourguiba, senior officials, and vast crowds bid him farewell.
The aircraft ascended into the sky amid the prayers and supplications of the free people of Tunisia, asking God to protect this great Arab monarch.