By Houda Mzioudet.
Tunis, 5 November, 2014:
Tunisian Ministry of Foreign affairs has told Libyan nationals and parties present in Tunisia to stop . . .[restrict]getting involved in any political activity or organising meetings without prior notification from the Tunisian authorities.
“This is to maintain stability and the national security of Tunisia, so as not to drag Tunisia into the internal affairs of Libya,” a statement issued yesterday on the ministry’s Facebook page said.
The ministry stressed that any violation of Tunisian law and regulations would result in legal action against those involved, which “may lead to the definitive and immediate expulsion from Tunisian territory”.
The ministry also said that Tunisia “stands at the same distance from all Libyan parties and urges them to dialogue and compromise” in regards to the current crisis.
This statement came two days after French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, who was instrumental in getting French support for the National Transitional Council which led towards NATO intervention in Libya but has become a controversial figure since, was met by protesters at Tunis airport last week demanding for his immediate expulsion. According to Lévy, he was in Tunis briefly to meet with “Libyan friends who had come expressly from Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Zawia and towns in Jebel Nafusa” to discuss national reconciliation between different Libyan factions on “a neutral ground”. The meeting was held in the seaside resort of Gammarth. Lévy refuted allegations that he had been “kicked out” of Tunisia following the protests in the airport and on social media calling for his immediate expulsion, claiming that they had been orchestrated by pro-Qaddafi supporters.
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