The Libyan Consulate General in the Tunisian city of Sfax has ordered the closure of the Ras Ajdir border crossing by twelve noon on Thursday, July 15.
This is coming after Libyan citizens stranded in southern Tunisia sought to return to their homeland.
The statement called on all Libyan citizens to make their way to the Consulate General if they wished to succeed in returning to Libya. They are expected to complete the departure requirement procedures, before the specified time on Thursday.
Libya’s embassy in Tunisia held an emergency meeting at its headquarters in the capital Tunis upon instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Najla_Al-Manqoush to address the situation.
The embassy said it had formed an emergency committee to follow up on the conditions of the Libyan community and citizens stranded in Tunisia.
The National Commission for Human Rights has urged Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to immediately end the suffering of Libyan citizens stranded at the Ras Ijdir crossing point with Tunisia after the government’s “sudden and ill-considered” decision to close the border with Tunisia.
The committee noted with concern, the difficult conditions experienced by the stranded travellers near the Ras Ajdir border crossing.
“Dozens of families spent their night in the open air, amid harsh conditions, not to mention the sick people, some of whom are in critical condition.”
It also pointed out that several ambulances carrying dead bodies are being held at the border, waiting for permission to enter the country.
The Government of National Unity has closed the border with Tunisia over concerns about the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant.