Libya-Tunisia border crossing blocked by residents

The border between Libya and Tunisia has been blocked by residents of Ben Guredane in Tunisia, preventing travellers from using the recently opened Ras Ajdair crossing, according to Libyan authorities.

Residents of Ben Guerdane, which borders Libya, have prevented travellers from using the crossing in protest against a ban by Libyan authorities on goods being taken from their country to be sold in Tunisia.

Authorities argue people are taking advantage of Libyan subsidies to purchase items which are sold for two or three times the price in Tunisia.

“The ongoing turmoil created by Ben Guredane residents leading to the shutdown of the border crossing is an internal Tunisia affair,” Zuwara Municipality said in a statement earlier this week.

A committee from Libya has visited Tunisian MPs in a bid to solve the ongoing issue. They agreed on a deal to convince residents to bring the blockade to an end, but no action has been taken by Tunisia yet.