LSalahuddin Namroush, the Deputy Chief of Staff for the forces aligned with Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), issued an order on Friday prohibiting the passage of any unauthorized military vehicles towards the Ras Ajdir border crossing.
The directive followed Namroush’s inspection tour of the battalions stationed at the entrances and exits of the Abu Kamash area. A brief statement from the GNU’s Chief of Staff, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, offered no further details.
Earlier in the week, Namroush visited the Ras Ajdir crossing to coordinate, monitor, and organize the forces assigned to its protection. He underscored the importance of enhancing security measures at the border crossing with Tunisia to ensure its stability and safety.
Ras Ajdir Crossing Opening Scheduled
Sources disclosed that Prime Minister Dbeibah is set to visit the city of Zuwara next Sunday to officially open the Ras Ajdir crossing. This follows a meeting on Monday between Dbeibah and a delegation from the Zuwara Municipal Council, along with members of the city’s Council of Elders and Notables. Discussions focused on implementing water desalination and electricity projects in Zuwara and other western coastal municipalities, as well as addressing salary issues for workers at the Mellitah complex.
During the meeting, Dbeibah emphasized the need to reopen the coastal road, complete the procedures for opening the crossing in accordance with the government’s plan, and implement the agreement signed between the Libyan and Tunisian Interior Ministers.
The crossing was initially scheduled to open on Monday, as announced by the GNU’s Ministry of Interior. However, the opening was unexpectedly postponed, restricting movement through the crossing to urgent medical and diplomatic cases only, according to a Tunisian security source quoted by the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) agency.
The Ras Ajdir crossing was closed on March 21 after the Ministry of Interior withdrew security personnel. This followed clashes between police officers from the Ministry’s Law Enforcement Department and an “outlaw group,” according to a previous ministry statement.