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 was partially reopened in mid-June for humanitarian and medical cases and special permits from the Tunisian and Algerian interior ministries, following the restoration of calm in the region.
During the reopening ceremony, ambulances from Libya were seen entering Tunisia. The event was attended by Emad Trabulsi, the interior minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), and his Tunisian counterpart, Khaled Nouri.
“Two hours after this ceremony, Libyan citizens will be able to go to Tunisia,” Trabulsi told journalists at the crossing.
Nouri confirmed the crossing’s reopening “for all activities except smuggling.”
Ras Ijdir, the main frontier crossing in Libya’s west, is frequently used by Libyans seeking medical treatment in Tunisia and by Tunisian traders moving goods into Libya.
Libya, divided between eastern and western factions since a 2011 uprising, has rival administrations governing each area. The GNU, which controls Tripoli and northwestern Libya, is internationally recognized but not by the eastern-based parliament.
Trabulsi urged Libyans near the western border to support regional security forces “to combat smuggling and illegal migration.” He also mentioned plans to open two new border crossings with Tunisia “if capabilities are provided.” Besides Ras Ijdir, the two countries have a minor crossing at Wazen-Dhehiba, which has remained open.
