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TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A Tunisian official says that around 60 citizens of his country have been released from detention in Libya, leaving more than 100 still under arrest.
On Saturday, Tunisia's consul in Tripoli, Brahim Rezgui, said 172 Tunisians had been arrested by the Libya Dawn coalition of militias in control of the city.
Differing reasons have been given for the arrests, including immigration issues or retaliation for the arrest of a Libyan in Tunisia.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mustapha Ziri said Thursday that negotiations about releasing those still held were continuing.
The government has warned Tunisians not to visit Libya unless absolutely necessary.
Official figures say, there are 60,000 Tunisians working in Libya, which is controlled by rival governments at either end of the country and is home to many armed militias.
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