TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisian Foreign Minister Taieb Baccouche announced April 2 that a Syrian ambassador would be welcome in Tunis, and that Tunisia would establish a consular presence in Syria. The following day, President Beji Caid Essebsi cast doubt on the move during an interview with France 24, saying that he had not approved the decision. "Foreign policy is part of the presidential prerogatives and the ministry shall implement the strategy dictated by the presidency," Essebsi said.
The contradiction led to confusion over the nature of Tunisia’s relationship with the Syrian government. The Tunisian government did not respond to Al-Monitor’s requests for clarification.
