532 Chapter 5
Narrative: The Bizerte dispute arose over French control and expansion of the Biz-
erte air and naval base in northern Tunisia. In 1958 France agreed to abandon its posi-
tions throughout Tunisia except Bizerte while it continued to fight in Algeria. In July
1961, France began to construct an additional runway at Bizerte that would extend
2–10 meters beyond the limits of the base. On July 19, Tunisia implemented a block-
ade of the base, and then France attacked. Tunisia requested UN Security Council
help and broke off diplomatic relations with the French. Fighting continued until July
- On September 29, 1961, France and Tunisia signed a modus vivendi restoring the
pre-blockade status quo. On October 4, 1963 Bourguiba announced complete French
evacuation of the base, and on October 9, French Armed Forces Minister Messmer
delivered a communique that verified complete French evacuation.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from July 19, 1961. End Date changed from
September 5, 1961.
220 FRANCE/620 LIBYA
MID#3631
Started in July 1977. See the narrative in the 483 Chad/620 Libya dyad dispute
list.
MID#3016
Dispute Number: 3016
Date(s): January 27, 1980 to January 30, 1980
Participants: 220 France/620 Libya
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: France moved ships off the Tunisian coast as a show of force against
Libyan support for rebel attacks in Tunisia.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 616 Tunisia.
MID#3633
Dispute Number: 3633
Date(s): December 12, 1980 to November 15, 1981
Participants: 220 France, 483 Chad/620 Libya
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Chad’s president invited Libyan forces into Chad to crush a rebellion led
by his defense minister in November 1980. The presence of Libyan troops in Chad
immediately increased tensions. On December 12, France warned Libya against
further military intervention in Chad’s civil war, stating that it was ready to sup-
port Chad’s unity. French fleets were then put on alert on January 16, 1981, as a
response to the presence of Libyan forces in Chad. On October 29, Chad called for the