Tunisian President: Country is indebted to people of Ben Gardane

Tunisians will always be indebted to the people of Ben Gardane because they tirelessly defend their city and country, President Beji Caid Essebsi said yesterday.

“You are the real Tunisians,” Essebsi said in a speech at Carthage Palace during the 60th anniversary of the independence of Tunisia celebrations.

Fighting is still ongoing in the southern city between Tunisian forces and insurgents.

Essebsi spoke about the recent security operation in Ben Gardane and the residents’ role in supporting security and army forces. “You have disproved illusions that some had about the south being separate from the north. God willing, the state will be able to face its responsibilities and will respond to the south’s demands.”

He stressed that Tunisian-Libyan relations will not be affected by the events under any circumstances, describing the two countries’ relations as old and built on harmony, consensus, cooperation and intermarriage.

Essebsi said that he did not accuse Libya of terrorism, but rather spoke about the deteriorating security situation which caused this terrorism, adding that he knows that some terrorists who enter Libya for training are Tunisian.