Tunisia to build 168km fence along border with Libya

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid confirmed on Wednesday that his country is to start building a 168km fence along the Libyan-Tunisian border, Quds Press reported.

Shams FM, a local Tunisian radio, reported Essid as saying that the fence would be ready before the end of this year. He stressed that full protection of the border is very difficult because of the various kinds of terrain that can be found along the perimeter.

Tunisian security officials blame the spread of weapons and training among extremists on the Libyan government in Tripoli.

Last month, several Tunisian diplomats were kidnapped in Libya following the arrest of the leader of Libya Dawn forces Waleed Al-Qalib.

In response, Tunisia closed the Libyan consulate in Tunis and completely severed relations with its neighbour. It also called for all Libyans in Tunis to return back to Libya.