By Houda Mzioudet.
Tunis, January 2, 2013:
Libyan merchants are expected to resume their commercial activity in Tunisia starting, January 1, 2013, Hamadi Mayara, the governor of Medenine, in south eastern Tunisia declared to Tunisian national TV, al Watania 1.
This comes after disruption of commercial activity between Tunisia and Libya and growing concern about future trade between the two countries. Angry protest of Tunisian traders from the border town of Ben Guerdane over new customs measures imposed by Libyan authorities on them and subsequent attacks on Libyan truck drivers in the area between Ras Jedir and Ben Guerdane in Tunisia were behind the closure of the two Tunisian-Libyan border crossings of Ras Jedir and Dhehiba-Wazen.
The Ras Jedir border crossing is expected to start its activity on the Tunisian side only, while the Libyan side will remain closed for Tunisian merchants entering Libya. The crossing was expected to open for Libyan truck drivers yesterday after Tunisian auhorities pledged to provide the necessary guarantees to its Libyan counterpart of the security and safety of Libyan merchants in Tunisian territory, reported Radio Tataouine.
The decision to open the border crossing came after Tunisian and Libyan government delegations met with security officials in Ben Guerdane on December 31, 2012 to discuss problems related to the border crossing and ways to solve them.
The meeting was prompted by calls from both the Libyan and Tunisian sides concered about the disruption of commercial activity between the two countries particularly from Tunisia’s second city of Sfax, considered as the economic hub of Tunisia.
Speaking to the Tunisian National TV Al Watania last night, Mr. Mayara stated that Tunisian authorities set up common patrols between the Tunisian Army, national guard and police to ensure safety in the Ben Guerdane-Ras Jedir trade line, which had witnessed recently attacks on Libyan trucks by some Tunisian locals in the area.
He added that the Libyan side requested an official declaration stating that Libyan trucks are protected when passing to Tunisia. Mayara hopes that the border crossing will be fully functional tonight.
“We are also hoping that Libyan authorities will ensure safety of Tunisian merchants in Libya as well,” Mr. Mayara insisted.
The other border crossing between Tunisia and Libya, Dhehiba-Wazen crossing remains closed for both Tunisian and Libyan merchants, a Tunisian border police officer at the crossing told the Libya Herald .
Meanwhile, in the Libyan town of Nalut, two Tunisian shepherds from the city of Kairouan (200 kilometers south of Tunis) were repoprted to have been seriously injured in their legs after a Libyan man in Nalut opened fire on them. The two shepheards allegedly entered his his property while herding sheep in the area.
According to Radio Tataouine, Libyan authorities pledged to investigate the incident and confirmed its commitment to ensure safety of all Tunisian nationals working in Libya.
The two injured men were taken to Tataouine Regional Hospital first where they remained for some time before being transferred to Sfax University Hospital. Faisal Ketat, a doctor in emergency service of Tataouine hospital told Radio Tataouine that one of the injured, a 66-year old father suffered serious injury to his legs. His son also sustained injuries of his ankle and right leg. They were transferred to Sfax University Hospital to get more treatment.
“I hope that the (injured men) get through their serious injuries. These injuries may, however, lead to the amputation of their legs,” Mr. Ketat warned to Radio Tataouine.
He added that the son, who is one of the victims, was admitted to the operations room for surgery. “According to primary information received from Sfax Hospital, efforts are being mde to prevent his leg from being amputated”, he concluded. [/restrict]
