Tunisia, Libya border post reopened

Ras Jedir, the main border crossing between Libya and Tunisia, was reopened on Tuesday after over a month’s closure by Libya for security reasons, the Libyan media reported.

“Talks between Tunisian authorities and their Libyan counterparts have resulted in the reopening of the border post,” the report said, quoting the Tunisian Presidency.

It said that Tunisia’s Interior Minister, Lotfi Jeddou and his Libyan counterpart, Saleh Mazek, were scheduled to meet later on Tuesday in Tunis to settle the outstanding issues.

The closure of Ras Jedir has created tension in Benguerdane, a border community whose inhabitants earn their living from engaging in contraband smuggling.

However, the residents of the city have demonstrated against the closure in addition to engaging in a three-day general strike to protest the action.

Millions of Libyans and Tunisians annually cross the border where the majority of trading activities between both countries were carried out.

Meanwhile, before the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, trade between Libya and Tunisia was over two billion dollars annually.

Report says that Libyans usually travel to Tunisia for tourism and medical care, while the Tunisians visit Libya to shop or seek work.