Tunisia’s Tourism Ministry has reassured tourists of their safety after twin suicide bombings targeting security forces rocked the country on Thursday. A patrol officer was killed and at least 8 people were injured in the blasts.
“This attack against national security agents has nothing to do with tourists,” Tourism Minister, Rene Trabelsi told the Associated Press. “This attack has nothing to do with the decline or cancellation of reservations for tourists in Tunisia, reported Africa News. It is an attack against national security agents, against a building of the anti-terrorist unit that fights this phenomenon of terrorism and has nothing to do with tourists.”
Trabelsi told tourists to have a good holiday and enjoy their stay at Tunisia. He said Tunisia is a country that fights these terrorists and has been keeping tourist areas secure since 2015, and the government will continue to fight against terrorism today and tomorrow.
“Unfortunately with this phenomenon of kamikaze, there is no direct solution, but we can fight with information and collaboration, that’s how we fight them,” the minister said.
The Islamic State group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombings. The same militant group was also responsible for Tunisia’s deadliest extremist attack, which hit the heart of the tourism sector in 2015.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Tunisia’s 92-year-old president, Beji Caid Essebsi, who had been hospitalized briefly in less than a week, was again rushed to the hospital after a serious illness.
The President’s office confirmed on Friday that President Essebsi’s health is improving and he is expected to be discharged from hospital soon.
“His state of health is improving,” presidential spokeswoman Saida Garrach told Tunisian public radio. “He had a meeting with the defense minister at about 7:45 am (06:45 GMT), and they exchanged information on the situation in the country.”
