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Libyan rebels take control of main border crossing with Tunisia

27 August 2011 01:37 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Libyan rebels have taken control of the main Tunisian-Libyan border post Ras El Jedir, Tunisian Radio Mosaique FM reported on Friday evening, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

According to the radio’s correspondent there, the Libyan rebels ’ flag was hoisted on the Libyan side of the border post at 19:30 local time (1830 GMT) on Friday.

A number of loyalists of Gaddafi has fled the border post into Tunisia, said the correspondent, adding that thousands of Libyan refugees are fleeing into Tunisia to escape the ongoing fierce fighting between the rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in the Libyan cities of Zouara and Ajilet.

Tunisian border and medical authorities are reported to be on alert at the border post which was closed down for security reasons last week, except for humanitarian emergency cases.

The border post, which is considered of strategic importance due to its role in a major supply route to the Libyan capital Tripoli, has been a scene of fierce fighting between the two sides in the Libyan conflict since the Libyan uprising in February.