By Nihal Zaroug.
Tripoli, 5 May:
A group of Tunisians yesterday stopped a convoy of vehicles between Medenine and Ben Guerdane heading towards . . .[restrict]the Libyan frontier and forced it to turn back. The vehicles, carrying live animals, vegetables and other foodstuffs were suspected on planning to smuggle them into Libya. Locals told Libya Future TV that they acted as soon as they detected the convoy. They said they were supported in their blockade by the police.
Meat, vegetables and food have risen steeply in price in Tunisia as a result of smuggling to Libya.
In the past few weeks, the Tunisian government has sent more army forces and guards to monitor the borders but this has not stopped the smuggling. Smugglers are using desert routes that are difficult to monitor and are said to have been bribing security officials in order to enter Libya.