Facilitated by the steps which the ICRC had been undertaking for several weeks, an exchange of French and Tunisian prisoners took place on September 10, 1961 in Bizerta. Shortly after President Bourguiba's press conference announcing this exchange, a delegate of the International Committee promptly went to the spot. Acting as an intermediary, he contributed, in co-operation with the Tunisian Red Crescent, towards the accomplishment of this humanitarian operation.