Libya’s interior minister in Tripoli announced the full reopening of the Ras Ijdir border crossing with Tunisia on Monday, three months after it was shut due to armed clashes. The border, partially reopened in mid-June for humanitarian, medical and special cases, with permits from the Tunisian and Algerian interior ministries, is now open for general traffic.
The reopening ceremony saw several ambulances from Libya entering Tunisia, attended by Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) Interior Minister Emad Trabulsi and his Tunisian counterpart Khaled Nouri. Trabulsi stated that two hours after the ceremony, Libyan citizens would be able to travel to Tunisia.
“Two hours after this ceremony, Libyan citizens will be able to go to Tunisia,” Trabulsi said. Nouri added that the crossing had been “reopened for all activities except smuggling.”
Ras Ijdir, the main frontier crossing in western Libya, is frequently used by Libyans for medical treatment in Tunisia and by Tunisian traders transporting goods to Libya. The region has experienced little peace since the 2011 uprising, with the country divided between eastern and western factions, each with its own administration. The internationally recognised GNU governs Tripoli and northwestern Libya, while the eastern-based parliament does not recognise it.
Trabulsi urged Libyans near the western border to support regional security forces in combating smuggling and illegal migration. He also mentioned the potential opening of two new border crossings with Tunisia, contingent on available resources. Besides Ras Ijdir, Libya and Tunisia have a minor crossing at Wazen-Dhehiba, which has remained open.
Melissa Enoch
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