Tunisia, Libya vow to strengthen cooperation, border security

Tunisia and Libya vowed to strengthen cooperation and border security, the official press agency TAP reported on Thursday. TAP quoted a joint communique issued Wednesday as saying citizens from the two countries have rights of free circulation, residence, work and real estate ownership. The statement came following a one-day visit by Tunisia's interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi to Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and cradle of the protests that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Libya's ruling National Transitional Council chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said during a joint news conference that Libya and Tunisia are working to "maintain border security." The proliferation of weapons in Libya is a major concern for neighboring countries. Tunisian authorities have stepped up efforts to prevent arms smuggling across the border.