France refrains from UK-style call on tourists to quit Tunisia

France has not followed Britain in calling on its nationals to leave Tunisia , the French Foreign Ministry announced on Friday, according to local media.

But it recommended that travelers be "particularly vigilant" following last month's murder of 38 foreign tourists by a jihadist gunman.

"Our advice to travelers stresses the terrorist risk in Tunisia and the ongoing threat from jihadist terrorist groups," foreign ministry spokesperson Romain Nadal told journalists Friday.

"It recommends that French citizens be particularly vigilant. Visiting several regions of the country bordering Algeria and Libya is categorically discouraged or discouraged unless there is an imperative reason."

The advice is based on an assessment of the security threat and the measures taken by the Tunisian government, Nadal said, pointing out that, apart from Britain and Belgium, France's allies have not called on their nationals not to go there.

Security experts, including members of the G7, Spain and Belgium, are expected to meet in Tunis to advise Tunisia on beefing up protection at sensitive sites, according to diplomatic sources.

The UK Foreign Office advised Britons to leave on Thursday, claiming that they did not have "adequate protection" following the 26 June attack, in which 30 British nationals died.