Tunisia extends state of emergency for 3 months

The Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi yesterday announced the extension of the state of emergency in the country for three additional months starting today.

According to a statement, after consulting the prime minister and the parliament speaker, Essebsi decided to extend the state of emergency.

A state of emergency was declared on 24 November 2015 after a suicide bomber attacked a presidential guard bus in the Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis, killing 12 security personnel and injuring another 17.

On 22 December, Essebsi extended the state of emergency for a further two months then he extended it for another month on 22 February.

Two weeks ago, gunmen attacked the security and army forces in the town of Ben Gardane on the border with Libya. The clashes led to the killing of 49 militants, 12 army and security forces and seven civilians.