03:10The Ras Jedir border crossing between Tunisia and Libya, in Ben Gardane, reopened on Monday after being temporarily closed for 104 days due to security concerns.
Footage shows officials from both countries arriving at the checkpoint, where a ceremony was held to reopen the junction. Police officers were closely monitoring the checkpoint, and ambulances were on standby to ensure security.
"Today, we are meeting here to officially announce the return of work to the border crossing in Ras Jedir, and we hope that this return will help further develop good relations between the two countries for the benefit of our countries in general and the neighbouring areas especially, and to push trade exchanges between the two parties and facilitate mobility," announced Khaled Al-Nouri, Tunisian Minister of Interior.
In his turn, Libyan Interior Minister Emad Tarabulsi stated that according to Libyan laws, all former agents of the border port, Ras Jedir, were 'changed from the police and customs and replaced by officers of the Libyan Ministry of Interior'. "Coordination was also made with the Tunisian Ministry of Interior in the file of similarity of names for Libyan citizens," he added.
Residents nearby the border also shared their views on the reopening of the crossing, stressing the two nations' 'brotherly' relations and the need to address economic burdens in the area.
"The duration of the closure of the crossing is about three months, which caused a major economic crisis for the simple citizen of the city of Ben Gardane because the only artery is the crossing of Ras Jedir," said a Tunisian citizen.
On March 19, the Libyan Interior Ministry announced the closing of the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia following armed clashes in the area.
Ras Jedir is located approximately 600 kilometres southeast of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It is one of the most significant border crossing points between the two countries.
'To further develop good relations' - Tunisia-Libya border crossing reopens in Ben Gardane after three-month closure
The Ras Jedir border crossing between Tunisia and Libya, in Ben Gardane, reopened on Monday after being temporarily closed for 104 days due to security concerns.
Footage shows officials from both countries arriving at the checkpoint, where a ceremony was held to reopen the junction. Police officers were closely monitoring the checkpoint, and ambulances were on standby to ensure security.
"Today, we are meeting here to officially announce the return of work to the border crossing in Ras Jedir, and we hope that this return will help further develop good relations between the two countries for the benefit of our countries in general and the neighbouring areas especially, and to push trade exchanges between the two parties and facilitate mobility," announced Khaled Al-Nouri, Tunisian Minister of Interior.
In his turn, Libyan Interior Minister Emad Tarabulsi stated that according to Libyan laws, all former agents of the border port, Ras Jedir, were 'changed from the police and customs and replaced by officers of the Libyan Ministry of Interior'. "Coordination was also made with the Tunisian Ministry of Interior in the file of similarity of names for Libyan citizens," he added.
Residents nearby the border also shared their views on the reopening of the crossing, stressing the two nations' 'brotherly' relations and the need to address economic burdens in the area.
"The duration of the closure of the crossing is about three months, which caused a major economic crisis for the simple citizen of the city of Ben Gardane because the only artery is the crossing of Ras Jedir," said a Tunisian citizen.
On March 19, the Libyan Interior Ministry announced the closing of the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia following armed clashes in the area.
Ras Jedir is located approximately 600 kilometres southeast of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It is one of the most significant border crossing points between the two countries.
The Ras Jedir border crossing between Tunisia and Libya, in Ben Gardane, reopened on Monday after being temporarily closed for 104 days due to security concerns.
Footage shows officials from both countries arriving at the checkpoint, where a ceremony was held to reopen the junction. Police officers were closely monitoring the checkpoint, and ambulances were on standby to ensure security.
"Today, we are meeting here to officially announce the return of work to the border crossing in Ras Jedir, and we hope that this return will help further develop good relations between the two countries for the benefit of our countries in general and the neighbouring areas especially, and to push trade exchanges between the two parties and facilitate mobility," announced Khaled Al-Nouri, Tunisian Minister of Interior.
In his turn, Libyan Interior Minister Emad Tarabulsi stated that according to Libyan laws, all former agents of the border port, Ras Jedir, were 'changed from the police and customs and replaced by officers of the Libyan Ministry of Interior'. "Coordination was also made with the Tunisian Ministry of Interior in the file of similarity of names for Libyan citizens," he added.
Residents nearby the border also shared their views on the reopening of the crossing, stressing the two nations' 'brotherly' relations and the need to address economic burdens in the area.
"The duration of the closure of the crossing is about three months, which caused a major economic crisis for the simple citizen of the city of Ben Gardane because the only artery is the crossing of Ras Jedir," said a Tunisian citizen.
On March 19, the Libyan Interior Ministry announced the closing of the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia following armed clashes in the area.
Ras Jedir is located approximately 600 kilometres southeast of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It is one of the most significant border crossing points between the two countries.