Ministry seeks Tunisia’s help to secure return of Jordanians from Libya

AMMAN/TRIPOLI — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Thursday discussed in a telephone call with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mongi Hamdi ways to facilitate the entry of Jordanians to Tunisia on their way home from crisis-hit Libya because of frequent closures of the Libyan borders and airports, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Hamdi said that his country will do all what is necessary to help Jordanians return home safely through Tunisia. 

Later Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sabah Al Rafie said Tunisian authorities issued directives allowing Jordanians in Libya to enter Tunisia via the border crossing between the two countries on their way back to the Kingdom. 

The ministry has once advised Jordanians to avoid travelling to Libya as a result of the turbulent situation there, and designated phone numbers for Jordanians trapped in the North African country to call for assistance.  

The numbers are:

Foreign Ministry situation room 0096265501444- Ext. 3428-3440-3425

Jordan embassy - Tripoli: 00218916610595 and 00218925446713

Jordan embassy - Tunis: 0021671780875 and 0021693386636

Violence in Libya continued on Thursday, with the country’s main airport hit hard by the warring parties.

Reuters reported that several shells hit the terminal of Libya’s main airport on Thursday, quoting witnesses, as fighting between rival militias for control of the airport continued for a fifth day.

A Reuters reporter at Tripoli International Airport saw holes in the roof and smashed windows in the terminal building, with a shell lying on the floor.

Rival militias have been fighting since Sunday for control of the airport as the political turmoil in the North African oil producer becomes worse.