In 1957, a year after the independence of Tunisia and despite relatively faint previous relations earlier in the 20th-century caused by the French influence in the Maghreb and the Socialist leanings of the pro-independence Neo Destour party (as well as the at times rocky Tunisian relation with a prime Arab ally of Spain, Egypt), Spanish dictator Francisco Franco received Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba with the highest honours. Both leaders tried to sustain a friendly bilateral relations for the rest of their rules.
