By Houda Mzioudet.
Tunis, 24 October, 2014:
Tunisia is shutting down its two western border crossings as of today until Sunday for anyone wanting to . . .[restrict]enter the country from Libya. In a statement, the Tunisian government said that the only people who will be allowed in will be diplomats and emergency medical cases. The move , ahead of elections to be held this weekend. dplomst sick.
People wishing to use the Rad Jadir and the Wazen-Dehiba crossings into Libya will be allowed to do so , however.
The Tunisian authorities have regularly expressed deep concern about the chaotic situation in Libya which has enabled weapons to be easily smuggled into Tunisia for use by terrorists. In this case, the Tunisian Minister of Interior, Lotfi Ben Jeddou, explained the border was being closed due to concerns about terrorist attacks during the parliamentary elections this Sunday.
Heightened security in Tunisia ahead of elections has been boosted. Clashes between security forces and armed groups occurred early on Thursday, leaving one policeman killed and another injured in the northern Tunis suburb of Oued Ellil. Today, police stormed a house in the area following a stand-off with militants there, killing six people. [/restrict]
