Tunisia FM: 800 Tunisian Islamists Fighting in Syria
Source: AFP
Tunisian Foreign Minister Othmane Jarandi told Agence France Presse on Saturday that some 800 Tunisians are fighting in Islamist rebel ranks in Syria and said the country would work to repatriate its citizens taken prisoner there.
"We don't have exact numbers, since several people left the country illegally, but the most accurate estimate is a maximum of 800," fighting in Syria, he said.
Tunis has been criticized by non-government organizations and the opposition since diplomatic relations with Damascus were severed in February 2011, and has been accused of abandoning Tunisians in Syria to their fate.
"The repatriation of Tunisians can be facilitated by the embassy in Lebanon after the government makes contact with the Syrian authorities about imprisoned Tunisian citizens," Jarandi said.
Read more: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/82683-tunisia-fm-800-tunisian-islamists-fighting-in-syria
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