Israel, Tunisia Agree to New Relationship

WASHINGTON — Israel and Tunisia agreed Monday to open diplomatic offices in each other’s countries by April 15, a move hailed by the United States as a step forward in the Middle East peace process.

The foreign ministers of the two countries finalized the agreement, which falls short of full diplomatic relations, at a joint meeting in the State Department with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

The two countries will establish so-called diplomatic interests sections, which enable nations to station diplomats in countries with which they do not have normal relations. The new offices will be hosted by the Belgian embassies in each country.

Flanked by Israeli Foreign Minister Ehud Barak and Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib ben Yahia, Christopher called the move move “an important step to widen the circle of peace.”