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| British holidaymakers are leaving Tunisia following advice from the Foreign Office |
Thousands of British holidaymakers are to be airlifted out of Tunisia as
tour operators implement emergency plans following warnings of an imminent
terror attack. The move has sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations. Tour operators including Thomas Cook, Cosmos and Jet2
are sending planes to Tunisia to bring back 3,000 British tourists currently
there on package holidays.
The evacuation follows a warning from the UK Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Thursday that all British citizens in Tunisia
should seek to leave immediately. In response to the travel caution, Tunisia’s
ambassador to the UK accused the British government of playing into the hands
of extremists by damaging the country’s vital tourism industry.
RT.com report continues:
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Tunisian national Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 tourists
– 30 of whom were British citizens – at a Sousse beach resort
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The FCO’s travel warning comes two weeks after
Tunisian national Seifeddine Rezgui killed 38 tourists – 30 of whom were
British citizens – at a Sousse beach resort.
Rezgui, 23, is believed to have trained with an
Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) cell based across the border in Libya.
The terrorist organization claimed responsibility within hours of the attack.
Tour operator Thomson, which saw 30 of its customers
killed in the attack, will bring all of its staff home from Tunisia following
the FCO travel advisory.
An armed escort will accompany coaches carrying
holidaymakers to Enfidha airport, which itself is heavily guarded by security
personnel.
Around 20 planes will return tourists and staff back
to UK airports, with holiday companies providing onward travel where needed.
An unknown number of independent travelers in Tunisia
have also been advised to leave the country on commercial flights. Those who
choose to ignore the FCO advice against non-essential travel will no longer
have valid travel insurance, unless they are trying to find a way to leave the
country.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told the BBC the
travel warning was put in place because intelligence suggests another terror
attack is highly likely.
He said: “While we do not have any information
suggesting a specific or imminent threat, since the attack in Sousse the
intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, leading us to the
view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely.”
The Tunisian investigation into those behind the
Sousse attack, and that on the Bardo Museum earlier this year, is on-going and
the Tunisians have made clear they want to track down further individuals who
they suspect may have links to this attack.
“Furthermore, we have now completed an assessment of
the security measures in tourist areas and while we are working with the
Tunisian authorities to further strengthen those measures, we judge that more
work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat.
Taking all these factors together, we judge that it is right and prudent to
make this change today,” he added.
In a press statement published on Thursday, Hammond
suggested Tunisian police are not capable of ensuring the safety of British
tourists.
The Foreign Secretary said: “While we are working with
the Tunisian authorities to further strengthen [security] measures, we judge
that more work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist
threat.”
Tunisia’s ambassador to the UK criticized the travel
advice, arguing the decision was “what the terrorists want.”
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he said: “By damaging the
tourism, by having foreigners leaving the country, they damage the whole sector
and put so many people out of work and on the streets.”
“Hotels have to close and this is an important
industry. One of the sources of terrorism is lack of hope. It is not the only
motor of it but it is one of the very important origins.”
The diplomatic spat comes as one of the first funerals
for Britons killed in the Sousse beach massacre is due to be held on Friday
afternoon.
A service will be held for Scottish couple Jim and
Anne McQuire from Cumbernauld, North Lancashire, in Abronhill church, where the
couple were active members.
Two other Scots were killed in the terror attack.
Speaking publicly to Sky News for the first time since
the attacks, Rezgui’s parents expressed disbelief at their son’s actions,
claiming he had been framed.
Radhia Manai said of her son: “I can’t imagine he
could carry out such an operation? He was carrying his weapon and was just
walking. He didn’t fire it. I want to know who fired and then framed him.”
Abdul-Hakim Rezgui said of his son: “People say he
spent two years training in Libya. How could he train in Libya? How was he able
to do that? What about his university?”
“I
say to the tourists: God bless those who died. And God bless my son. My son was
not capable of this. Bad guys tricked him and God will give him what he
deserves.”
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