Interior Minister Kamel Feki and his Libyan counterpart Emad Trabelsi held a press conference on Tuesday at the Ras Jedir border crossing.
They reaffirmed their joint willingness to improve the performance of the control bodies at the Ras Jedir crossing and to take all necessary measures to streamline the movement of travellers, goods and commercial consignments.
The Interior Minister underlined the mutual understanding and coordination with the Libyan side for joint efforts in the development of monitoring systems at this crossing, stressing the need to regulate borders in general.
This includes the fight against organised crime that threatens national security, in particular drug trafficking, human trafficking, irregular migration and subversive activities that threaten the security of nations.
Feki commended the Libyan side for its commitment to controlling and securing border crossings, stressing the importance of these passages as secure avenues for bilateral exchanges between nations.
He underline
d the importance of addressing issues such as human trafficking and irregular migration in a timely manner, as they pose significant challenges that require proactive solutions.
The Minister praised the long-standing bilateral cooperation between Tunisia and Libya and expressed optimism about its continued growth. He highlighted joint efforts to control borders and find effective solutions to reduce the waiting time for Tunisians and Libyans at the Ras Jedir border crossing.
The Libyan Minister of Interior announced the complete handover of the Libyan Ras Jedir border crossing to the Libyan Ministry of Interior. Plans include technological, technical and human development, with advanced surveillance cameras to be installed within the next two weeks.
In addition, sophisticated inspection equipment will be installed at the Ras Jedir crossing to speed up the transit of travellers and reduce waiting times to a maximum of two hours during rush hours and one hour during normal hours.
Maintenance work will also
be carried out at the crossing in order to activate the joint Tunisian-Libyan crossing and open it in the near future.
Discussions with the Tunisian side are aimed at finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the problems of congestion at the Ras Jedir crossing, a vital land link between Tunisia and Libya, by opening a new crossing at Mechhed Salah (Tataouine governorate).
He pointed to the implementation of a border security plan between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to set up joint units along the border from Ras Jedir to Mechhed Salah.
The Minister highlighted the installation of cameras and watchtowers, the result of close cooperation between the Tunisian and Libyan security forces, to combat smuggling, human trafficking and drug trafficking.
The Libyan minister reaffirmed his commitment to intensify joint efforts to secure the Tunisian-Libyan-Algerian triangle, which stretches from Mechhed Salah to Nalut and Borj el Khadra. This region faces major challenges, including drug tr
afficking and the activities of international criminal organisations.
The two ministers visited the Ras Jedir border crossing, where they inspected security units on both sides and conducted a mock exercise for the passage of travellers and ambulances. They then held a working session to explore ways to improve the operation of the crossing and identify possible solutions to facilitate the movement of people and goods and to promote cooperation for further development and prosperity.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse