Tunisia is preparing to accommodate a possible new influx of refugees fleeing the war in Libya and has chosen the site of Fatnassia to receive migrants who arrive.
On January 9 a delegation led by Adel Ouerghi, governor of the Tunisian city of Tataouine, visited the delegation of Remada to inspect the site of Fatnassia. Fatnassia, which is 15 kilometers from Remada, has been chosen to receive eventual migrants fleeing the war in Libya.
The regional security council of Tataouine held a meeting dedicated to monitoring preparations for welcoming eventual refugees and preventing infiltration by terrorists fleeing combat in northwestern Libya.
The meeting, in which a representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) participated, offered an opportunity to discuss questions related to the care of refugees and the wounded and to identify necessary logistics.
Tunisia ready for any possible event
Tunisian Interior Minister Hichem Fourati said Tunisia has taken all measures necessary to prepare for any possible event on the border with Libya. In particular, he said Tunisia has deployed security and army units along the coast and on the country's eastern border, and that "the security units installed over the last year on the land and sea borders are working to deal with possible repercussions from the Libya crisis, following the increase of tensions in the neighboring country."
Minister Fourati minimized fears tied to the eventual influx of tens of thousands of displaced in Tunisia, should the situation in Libya worsen. He said some press reports about the possibility of between 25,000 and 30,000 refugees are exaggerated. "In addition, all necessary measures have been taken to prepare for possible terrorist infiltrations on Tunisian soil," Fourati said.