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Tunis closes borders with Libya after Ben Gardane attacks

March 8, 2016 at 1:50 pm

Tunisia’s borders with Libya have been closed after bloody clashes erupted between local security services and armed militants in the southern city of Ben Gardane, President Beji Caid Essebsi announced yesterday.

Some 45 people were killed in the clashes, 28 of whom were armed militants, the interior ministry reported.

Speaking to Radio Tatouine, broadcasting from the south, Essebsi said: “This is an organised and unprecedented attack. The state has full confidence in the people in the south, who are the real shield of the country.”

“The security and customs staff overcame the attack which unfortunately was launched from the neighbour, Libya.”

He stressed that his country is exerting its “utmost efforts to get rid of these groups,” calling on those living in the south to support the country as they have in the past.