Michel Cousins

TRIPOLI – The main Tunisian-Libyan border crossing at Ras Jedir is again partially closed. Libyans returning to Libya and Tunisians likewise returning home are being allowed through but not Libyans wanting to visit Tunisia or vice versa. They are being forced to use the much longer route via Dehiba and Nalut in the Nafusa mountains.



The Ras Jedir crossing, which sees thousands of vehicles using it daily when open, was initially closed on the Libyan side on Sunday after Libyans were reportedly attacked on in anti-Libyan protests on the Tunisian side of the border. The attacks came after Libyan border police were reported to have insisted that Tunisian drivers heading into Libya show them full documentation for their vehicles.



The report has been denied. However, such documentation is often lacking because goods heading for Libyan are regularly being transported in private rather than commercial vehicles.



Counter anti-Tunisian protests in Libya led the Tunisian authorities on Monday to close their side of the border. Tunisian Defence Ministry official Rachid Bouhoula, who is in charge of border security, said it would remain closed until further notice. It was still reported closed this evening. – Libya Herald