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5 Tunisians kidnapped by Libyan armed group near border

07 April 2012 21:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A group of armed Libyans kidnapped five Tunisians involved in petrol smuggling activities near the their joint border of Ras El Jedir on Saturday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Following the abduction, the Tunisian authorities closed Ras El Jedir, according to local media.

Security sources said the units of Tunisia’s national guard have started negotiations with the abductors to guarantee the release of the five.

In retaliation, some inhabitants of the southern town of Ben Guerdane blocked the road leading to Ras El Jedir to protest against the abduction, calling for setting free the abducted Tunisians.

Similar abductions targeting Tunisian nationals by armed Libyans have taken place over the last months, increasing tensions at the areas bordered with Libya. The Tunisian authorities have repeatedly called on their Libyan counterpart to enhance security near the joint border.