AFTER CLASHING WITH FRENCH FORCES IN THE FRENCH SAHARA, AT A POINT 24-MILES INSIDE OF THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOMONIZED BORDER, A TUNISIAN ARMY COLUMN WITHDREW TO FORT QUARQUEY, JULY 23. THE COLUMN CROSSED INTO THE FRENCH TERRITORY TO PLANT A TUNISIAN FLAG AT MARKER-233, AND CLAIM THE AREA.

FRENCH COMMANDO PATROLS BACKED BY AIRCRAFT WENT INTO THE ATTACK AND THE TUNISIANS CLAIM THAT 100 OF THEIR MEN WERE KILLED. IN TUNIS, PRESIDENT BOURGUIBA CLAIMED THAT THE COLUMN PRESSED ON TO MARKER-233 BUT THE FRENCH SAY THE COLUMN HAS BEEN PINNED DOWN IN THE DESERT.

BOTH SIDES STATE THAT THEY HAVE CALLED A CEASE-FIRE. THIS CAME AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN THE FIGHTING AROUND THE FRENCH BASE AT BIZERTA IN TUNISIA.

THE DISPUTED AREA LIES CLOSE TO THE RICH FRENCH OIL FIELDS IN THE SOUTHERN SAHARA.