The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Sunday that "security information" had caused the delays on Tunisian women from boarding flights to the Gulf country that caused an outcry in their home country.

"We contacted our Tunisian brothers about security information that necessitated taking specific procedures," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on his Twitter account.

"We should avoid misleading attempts... We highly value Tunisian women and respect them," Gargash said, without elaborating.

A number of Tunisian women said in recent days that their travel to the Gulf country on UAE airlines had been delayed and some had to undergo additional examination of their visas.

 

That triggered angry reactions on social media and local Tunisian media.

The Tunisian government said on Friday it had asked the UAE ambassador for clarification, adding that the envoy said the decision was for only a short period and the restrictions had been lifted.

Despite the clarification, Tunisian rights groups issued a statement on Saturday condemning the UAE measures as "discriminatory and racist".

Tunisia has been trying to repair diplomatic ties with UAE damaged by its 2011 revolution and after the Al Nahda party came to power in the North African country

Source : timesofoman