Activist views situation in Ben Guerdane

Human Rights activist Mustafa Abdel Kabeer described the situation in Ben Guerdane area, located on the borders between Tunisia and Libya, as tense, saying, “Despite the opening of crossing and signing of agreements, the serious solutions are not existed.”

He added, in an interview with “Arabs Today”, “The ministers who visited the area last week have not reached any solutions. The crossing problem does not need the ministers visit, while they came just to ease tension.”

He stressed that the solution lies in coordination between the directors of Ras Ghadeer Crossing from both Tunisian and Libyan sides, stressing the need for conducting a dialogue to bridge the gap of difference.

He added that any solution should come from the Tunisian state as all crossings are under the control of the Tunisian government not the local provinces. He stressed the need for conducting a dialogue between both Tunisian and Libyan sides to take a package of measures to resolve the crisis.

He continued, “Tunisian ministers do not know anything about the situation in Libya, as they came to negotiate with their Libyan counterparts on Friday. They do not know that Friday is just the day of prayers for all Libyans.”

He stressed the need for developing the area as whole to pave the way for resolving the crossing problem. He blamed what he described as marginalizing approach for the current state of tension and protest witnessed there.

He signaled that over 150 Tunisian citizens exist inside the Libyan prisons, including women. He denied what raised over the torture of Tunisian women prisoners, while underlined their psychological critical conditions.

He called the Tunisian government to activate its agreements with Libya, if the Tunisian innocent people have not been released. He added that the Tunisian government should deal with the issue seriously, calling the Tunisian officials to visit the innocent prisoners.