Tunis embassy issues tourist warning

The United States embassy in Tunis has issued a security message for American citizens travelling to Tunisia. The statement, released on Saturday evening, advised citizens to "maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, report suspicious activity to the local police, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security." There was also a warning against "possible terrorist activity" around the New Year holiday season, but the embassy did not go as far as to warn Americans against visiting the North African country. The message comes after violent clashes on the Tunisian-Algerian border between terrorist groups and Tunisian security forces, over the past few weeks. Furthermore, there have been reports of al-Qaeda recruiting Tunisian men, and an organisation called the Uqba ibn Nafi Brigades plotting terrorist attacks in Tunisia. On Sunday, the Tunisian Interior Ministry announced a series of successes in combating crime. These included recovering large amounts of illegal drugs, and dismantling a number of gangs involved in forging currency and stealing cars.