Tunisia sends troops to borders for oil, gas fields protectionJanuary 29, 2013 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tunisia has sent special combat units to its borders with Algeria and Libya to protect its oil and gas installations against potential attacks from Islamist militants, the state news agency said on Tuesday, Jan 29, according to Reuters. The move follows the al Qaeda-linked attack and hostage-taking at an Algerian gas plant earlier this month, and comes as French and local troops fight against Islamist rebels in Mali. "Tunisian authorities have set up special units in different important sites to protect oil and gas fields in the Saharan perimeter of the country", the state news agency said, citing security sources. "This measure aims to prevent any terrorist act against these fields, especially those located on the Tunisian-Algerian border," the sources added. They said the fighting in Mali, south of Algeria in the Sahara, was also of concern. Tunisian Interior Minister Ali Laryed said in December that police had arrested 16 Islamist militants who had been accumulating arms with the aim of creating an Islamic state. Earlier this month, authorities said they had seized a big arms cache in the south of the country and made several arrests. Tunisia, which is located between major oil producers Algeria and Libya, imports most of its oil needs from abroad, but it has some oil fields concentrated mainly in the south of the country. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |