Tunisian protesters block road leading to Libyan border

Tunisian protesters in the southern province of Tataouine yesterday blocked the road leading to the Thuhayba-Wazan border crossing with Libya, demanding authorities allow them to do business with their neighbour.

Eyewitnesses in the city of Thuhayba reported protests starting to escalate on Tuesday, tyres were burnt in front of the municipality’s headquarters, demonstrators then closed off the road leading to the crossing.

According to the Anadolu Agency’s correspondent, the crossing was officially closed on Wednesday for one hour.

Civil rights advocate Daou Al-Thuhaybi told Anadolu: “We demand that the Tunisian government provide development alternatives for the unemployed young people in the Thuhayba area, or allow us to trade with Libya.”

“The protesters yesterday closed the headquarters of public institutions as a form of escalation for nearly two hours, and despite the fact that these institutions reopened this morning, it is possible that the protesters close them again as long as a solution is absent,” he added.

Trading smuggled gasoline is the main source of income for Thuhayba’s people.

According to unofficial statistics, about 70 per cent of the residents of border areas live on trading with Libya.

Tunisia recently tightened security measures along its border with Libya after official data indicated that there are weapons used in “terrorist” attacks are smuggled into the country from Libya.

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