Libyan authorities have released 18 Tunisians who were being held in Tripoli on smuggling charges, a Tunisian rights group has confirmed.
The detainees, who were arrested before Ramadan, had their vehicles confiscated.
Mustafa Abdelkabir, head of the observatory, stated that the total number of Tunisians detained in Libya had reached 51.
He explained that their arrests were part of a "reciprocal measure," following Tunisia’s earlier detention of six Libyan citizens.
Tunisia has since released three of the Libyan detainees, while the remaining three are awaiting trial.
Abdelkabir noted that there is an agreement between the two countries to expedite judicial procedures for those still in custody.
He emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between Libya and Tunisia, stating, “While border tensions exist worldwide, we must prioritize coordination to protect our borders and enhance bilateral relations.”
On Friday, residents of Ben Guerdane, a Tunisian border town, staged a protest demanding the release of Tunisians still detained in Libya.
