Thousands of Libyans flee conflict to Tunisia

Nearly 27,000 Libyans have fled the deteriorating security situation in their country to neighbouring Tunisia through the Ras Jedir border crossing, Al-Sharq news website quoted a Tunisian security source as saying.

According to Libyan witnesses who managed to enter Tunisia, the number is expected to rise in the coming days as thousands more are waiting on the Libyan side of the border.

Head of the Tunisian Red Crescent in the Medenine Governorate, Monji Sleem, said the Red Crescent has decided to form mobile monitoring teams on the border in Ras Jedir and other cities in the governorates of Medenine and Tataouine, in southeast Tunisia, “to assist Libyan immigrants who cross the borders”.

The Tunisian government has set up a contingency plan in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to accommodate the displaced Libyans entering Tunisia.

Since the ouster of former leader Muammar Al-Ghaddafi, Libya’s elected government has been struggling to assert control over the country as tribal militias vie for power.