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U.S. warns of Al Qaida attack in Tunisia

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, April 22, 2005

The United States has warned that insurgents tied to Al Qaida are planning an attack in Tunisia.

The State Department urged Americans in Tunisia to be alert to the prospect of an Islamic strike between now and the next three months.

"We received information regarding the possible planning of terrorist activity in Tunisia," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said on Wednesday. "And on the basis of that information, we needed to take certain security precautions."

In an advisory, the department said the attack in Tunisia could be imminent. The warning did not refer to any timetable or location, Middle East Newsline reported.

"The United States government has strong indications that individuals may be planning imminent terrorist actions in Tunisia," the department said in a travel warning. "We have no further information on specific targets, timing, or method of attack, or capabilities of these individuals."

The department said attacks could take place on or around dates of religious significance. The advisory cited the Moulid holiday, which ended on Thursday.

"U.S. government facilities remain at a heightened state of alert," the warning said. "Americans in Tunisia are urged to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution."

The department urged Americans who live in or travel to Tunisia to register with the U.S. embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

The State Department has offered rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture and conviction of any of two Tunisian nationals linked to Al Qaida. The insurgents, both naturalized Canadian citizens, were identified as Abderraouf Jdey and Abdelaziz Boussora, said to be involved in plots against the United States.

Tensions have risen in Tunisia amid a crackdown by authorities of suspected Islamic insurgents. The New York-based Human Rights Watch reported that Tunis was holding 40 prisoners in isolation in an effort to crush the An Nahda movement. Tunisia was said to have 500 political prisoners.


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

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