Tunisia: More Tunisian troops detailed to border points as Libyan crisis worsens

Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) – Tunisian authorities have dispatched more troops to the Libyan border following the increased movement of people who intend to cross over at Ras Jadir as the security situation in Libya deteriorated Wednesday, official sources here told PANA.

According to the same sources, several ambulances were also taken to the border area where Tunisia has set up medical centres to treat the injured among arrivals from Libya.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian Red Crescent and the UN Refugee Agency met Wednesday to discuss how they would assist refugees and members of diplomatic missions coming from Libya through Ras Jadir border post.

At the same time Egypt has sent a mission to Tunisia to assist Egyptian nationals fleeing from Libya. Egyptians are the largest foreign community in Libya.

Tunisian Foreign Affairs minister Mongi Hammadi warned Tuesday that his country would not accept the re-emergence of the 2011 scenario in case the situation in Libya further deteriorated. He said that the common border between the two countries would be closed.

He also mentioned the possibility of closing the Tunisian consulate in Tripoli and maintaining a consular office at Ras Jadir to facilitate the entry of Tunisian nationals and refugees.

Hammadi said he had, in a telephone conversation with his Algerian counterpart, suggested an extraordinary summit to be held on the latest developments of the Libyan crisis.
-0- PANA AD/IN/BEH/MSA/AR 30July2014