Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Tunisia has closed its border to prevent Al Qaida from disrupting elections.

The government said Tunisia closed its eastern border with Libya ahead of parliamentary elections on Oct. 26. In a statement, the government cited the border crossings at Ras Jedir and Dehiba.

“There is a fear that there might terrorist acts,” Tunisian Interior Minister Lofti Ben Jeddou said.

Officials have warned of an Al Qaida effort to disrupt parliamentary elections. They said the Al Qaida-aligned Ansar Al Sharia was sending fighters and weapons from Libya as well as Algeria.

On Oct. 23, security forces battles Islamic insurgents in two areas of Tunisia. In Tunis, special operations forces stormed a suspected Al Qaida stronghold and a police officer was killed.

“Our forces are mobilized and ready to protect the electoral process so that no one can disrupt it,” Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui said.