Tunisia did ‘everything’ to protect tourists
Print Edition
TUNISIA’S prime minister insisted yesterday that his country has done “everything in our power” to protect foreign tourists, as the British government urged travelers to flee because of the threat of more attacks.
Britain on Thursday called for all UK tourists to leave Tunisia because an extremist attack is “highly likely,” saying the North African country hasn’t done enough to enhance security. There were 30 British tourists among the 38 victims killed by an Islamic extremist at a Tunisian beach resort last month.
The decision is a new wound for Tunisia’s struggling tourism industry and for Tunisia’s reputation as it tries to solidify its new democracy in a volatile region. An attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis in March left 22 dead, mostly foreign tourists.
Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid said yesterday that his government would help evacuate Britons.
“We did everything in our power to protect (British) citizens and their interests, as well as those of all other countries,” Essid told lawmakers during a security debate.
Hundreds of thousands of Britons visit Tunisia each year. Many left after the Sousse attack, but some 3,000 are still in Tunisia.
Travel firm Thomas Cook, which has 2,000 UK customers in Tunisia, said it would add an extra flight yesterday to bring Britons home.
Hotels in the resort of Hammamet were largely empty of foreign tourists yesterday.
At one, the swimming pool glistened in the Mediterranean sun, unperturbed by swimmers.
British Embassy officials were helping yesterday with departures of UK tourists at Enfidha airport.
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