On Saturday, the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Lieutenant General Salah Al-Namroush issued a directive to prevent any unauthorized military vehicles from heading towards the Ras Ajdir border crossing.
This order follows an inspection tour by Al-Namroush at the checkpoints of brigades assigned by the General Staff in the Abu Kammash area, according to a brief statement from the General Staff, which did not provide further details.
Earlier this week, Al-Namroush visited the Ras Ajdir crossing to coordinate and oversee the forces tasked with its protection. He emphasized the importance of enhancing security measures at this border crossing with Tunisia to ensure its stability and safety.
Well-informed sources reported that Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, will visit the city of Zuwara next Sunday and is expected to inaugurate the Ras Ajdir crossing.
Last Monday, Dbaiba met with a delegation from the Zuwara Municipal Council and several members of the city’s Council of Elders and Dignitaries to discuss implementing water desalination and electricity projects in Zuwara and other western coastal municipalities, as well as resolving salary issues for workers at the Mellitah complex.
During the meeting, the Libyan Premier issued instructions to ensure the opening of the coastal road and to complete the procedures for reopening the crossing per the government’s organizational plan. He also stressed the need to implement the agreement signed between the Libyan and Tunisian Interior Ministers.
The Ras Ajdir crossing was initially scheduled to reopen on Monday, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity. However, the opening was unexpectedly postponed, restricting movement through the crossing to urgent humanitarian, health, and diplomatic cases, as reported by a Tunisian security source to the Tunis Afrique Presse agency.
The Ras Ajdir crossing was closed on March 21 after the Ministry of Interior withdrew security personnel following clashes between law enforcement officers from the Ministry’s Law Enforcement Department and an “outlaw group,” as stated in a previous ministry announcement.
Efforts to reopen Ras Ajdir have been ongoing, marked by high-level meetings and coordination between Libyan and Tunisian authorities. The aim is to ensure normal operations and address the security concerns that led to its closure. The crossing’s operational status affects bilateral relations and broader regional dynamics, making reopening a priority for both governments.
