Category: National

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Policy, Josep Borrell, intends to visit Libya, along with Tunisia and Iraq next month, the Libya Observer reports. The EU is in direct contact with Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), in order to fully organize Borrell’s visit to Tripoli, according to the Italian Nova Agency, citing Libyan sources for its information. On Sunday last, Borrell called for the creation of a European military force capable of fighting if called upon, suggesting: “A force of approximately 50,000 soldiers, who…

Tunisian security forces have stepped up their activities against irregular migration, AnsaMed reports. Italian interior ministry sources say that this came after the activation of a “direct line of communication between the Italian and Tunisian authorities for the rapid exchange of information on boats carrying irregular migrants departing from the North African country’s coasts and on criminal activities connected with this phenomenon”. The Tunisian Coast Guard has thwarted “eleven unauthorized attempts to cross the maritime border and rescued 231 people”, according to a Tunisian interior ministry statement, noting that among…

Tunisian naval forces rescued 396 migrants from drowning after several of their boats capsized in the middle of the night while making the journey across the Mediterranean to reach Italy, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday More migrants have been attempting the dangerous crossing from the North African coast in recent weeks. Many of those setting off for a better life are from Syria, Bangladesh and other African countries, as well as Tunisians. Twelve people remain missing from a boat accident near the Mahdia resort area south of the capital…

Libya reopened its air traffic and land borders with neighbouring country Tunisia on Thursday. The government sent correspondence in this regard to the ministers of Transport and Interior, underscoring the need to take protective measures against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Libya Observer reports The letters referred to previous recommendations set by relevant bodies that provided for the necessity of opening land and air crossings for health, humanitarian and economic reasons, with an emphasis on the need to take all the necessary precautions and sanitary shields. Libya closed its border with…

Medical supplies and equipment donated by the State of Kuwait were flown to Tunisia to help the fellow Arab country counter the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) announced on Thursday. Head of medical services at KRCS Manhal Al-Enezi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the medical cargo included ventilators and other necessary equipment. A Saudi plane loaded with more medical equipment and supplies landed Thursday at Tunis-Carthage International Airport in a bid to underpin Tunisia’s anti-COVID-19 efforts. An Egyptian military plane arrived at Tunis-Carthage International…

DTA Group, a consulting firm specialising in land, rail, port and airport transport infrastructure, has announced the launch of a pre-feasibility study for the implementation of a BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) system project in Greater Tunis, Tunisia’s capital and largest city. This study will examine initiatives for the deployment of a BRT system project in the Greater Tunis area across the capital, with a pilot experience linking the city centre of Tunis to the Berges du Lac Nord and La Goulette / El Kram. The project of BRT system in…

Tunisia announced on Tuesday that it would buy 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine directly from Johnson & Johnson, amidst heavy criticism of the government’s slow vaccination campaign. So far, only about 592,000 Tunisians have received the two doses of vaccine in this country of 11.6 million people. After successfully containing the virus in the first wave last year, Tunisia is struggling with an increase in infections. It has imposed a lockdown in some cities since last week, but has rejected a full national lockdown because of the economic crisis.…

Tunisia has submitted a draft resolution to its partners in the Security Council calling on the Ethiopian government to stop the Renaissance Dam’s second filling and to refrain from any declaration or procedure that might jeopardize the negotiation process. In the final remaining hours before the Security Council’s meeting on the Renaissance Dam, New York State is witnessing intensive Sudanese and Egyptian moves aimed at presenting their position regarding the Renaissance Dam, AlTaghyeer reports. Khartoum and Cairo agreed to intensify consultations with the member states of the UN Security Council – before Thursday’s session…

The inaugural ceremony of the new headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), took place last Wednesday in Tunis with the attendance of UN representatives, ambassadors of several brotherly and friendly countries and high ranking officials. In her welcome address, UNHCR Representative Hanan Hamdan said that Tunisia is the first country to have ratified the international convention on refugees. She then mentioned the main stages of the establishment of the UNHCR in Tunisia, stressing the importance of making even greater efforts to fight against smuggling and trafficking…