Tunis — During a telephone call with Cameroon's President Paul Biya, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali addressed his thanks and consideration to Cameroon's Head of State for the efforts he exerted personally and along with Cameroon's authorities, in order to obtain the liberation of the hostages onboard the French vessel "Bourbon", among whom was a Tunisian hostage.

During the telephone exchange, both Presidents expressed their satisfaction at the conclusion of the crisis.

They also reiterated their determination to promote friendship relations between both countries and to increase cooperation perspectives.

President Ben Ali had personally followed up the developments of the hostage crisis since it started.

He also issued instructions to the Tunisian parties concerned, in view of liaising with Tunisian diplomatic missions in order to secure the life of the Tunisian hostage, Yacine Tarchoun , while providing his family with the needed assistance while reassuring them all along the abduction.