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State of emergency in Tunisia extended until new year

A state of emergency in Tunisia has been extended until the new year.

The extension runs for three months from November 10, according to updated Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice.

The state of emergency was imposed after a suicide attack on a police bus in November 2015 and has been extended a number of times.

A terrorist attack at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse in June 2015 saw 39 people killed, including 30 British tourists.

This followed the killing of 21 tourists, including a British holidaymaker, in an assault on the Bardo museum in the centre of the capital, Tunis.

In the latest incident, one of two police officers died following a knife attack in the Bardo area on November 1.

The FCO changed its advice against travelling to large parts of the North African country in June, including Tunis and the beach resort of Sousse.

The relaxation of travel restrictions prompted Thomas Cook to reinstate Tunisia holidays and flights from February 2018.

However, the FCO continues to urge travellers to the country to be vigilant at all times and warns that terrorists are “very likely” to carry out attacks on Tunisia. It also highlights a “heightened risk” of terrorism against aviation.

“The Tunisian authorities have improved security in tourist resorts and their ability to respond to a terrorist incident. Tunisian security forces have also improved and are better prepared to tackle terrorist threats than they were at the time of the 2015 attacks,” the FCO advice says.

“But further attacks remain likely, including in places visited by foreigners such as tourist resorts.

“Attacks may be carried out by individuals unknown to the authorities, whose actions may be inspired by terrorist groups.”

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