US closes embassy in Tunis

The US Embassy in Tunis closed its doors on Friday in the wake of protests against the decision of President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, local website Dostor.org has reported.

Staff at the embassy in the Tunisian capital called on US citizens to be cautious and follow official safety and security guidelines. Americans in Tunisia were also advised to avoid demonstrations and rallies.

Earlier on Friday, the police in Tunis prevented protesters from heading to the embassy to show their rejection of Trump’s decision.

Several cities in Tunisia witnessed huge protests, the largest of which took place in the capital.

Tunisian President Baji Caid Essebsi summoned the US Ambassador and told him that the country rejects Trump’s announcement about Jerusalem.

Read: Ex-Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson to Palestine: Announce London as the capital of America

While the international community has almost unanimously disagreed with Donald Trump’s announcement, reports suggest that the announcement was done with the pre-agreement of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi Arabia going as far as, allegedly, stating to the Palestinian President to accept a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem as the alternative Palestinian capital.

Since the announcement, Saudi Arabia’s royal court has sent notices to the nation’s media outlets to limit the airtime given to protests against Trump’s announcement.

Read: Thousands protest in Britain against Trump’s Jerusalem announcement