Marzouki calls on Maghreb nations to resolve the Malian crisis Tunis – Azhar Jarboui Tunisia’s government has condemned the ongoing French-led military intervention in northern Mali, calling for a coordination on security By the countries  of the Maghreb to deal with the crisis. Speaking at a meeting at the Carthage Palace, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki called on officials to formulate a national position on the ongoing conflict in northern Africa. The country’s Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdel Salam also condemned the foreign-led intervention in Mali which has seen a hybrid French-African military force tackle insurgency groups, some of them allegedly linked to al-Qaeda, in the north of the country.
Marzouki said he respected the sovereignty of Mali and its decision to confront internal security threats according to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The President’s statement warned of repercussions from the conflict on neighbouring states, including Tunisia, calling for coordination between political and military spheres to combat terrorism in the Maghreb.
The Tunisian government has meanwhile condemned the kidnapping of Algerian and foreign nationals at a gas station in the Sahara desert, expressing solidarity with the Algerian government following a botched rescue attempt which left 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers dead.
The French embassy in Tunisia has warned French citizens against visiting southern Tunisia over concerns about al-Qaeda in the region. Tunisian authorities has taken necessary security measures to protect the embassy in case of potential demonstrations.