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EU Vows New Support for Tunisia after Tourist Attack

The European Union (EU) promised Monday to boost political and economic support for Tunisia to ensure its transition to democracy was not derailed by last month's deadly attack on a tourist resort.

The attack on the resort of Sousse left 38 tourists dead, most of them British, and came just months after the deaths of 22 people in an attack on the Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis in March.

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Ambassador Says UK Wants to Review Tunisia Travel Warning

Britain wants to review its travel advisory on Tunisia "as soon as possible", after urging its tourists to leave over fears of another deadly attack, London's ambassador said Tuesday.

After a jihadist murdered 38 tourists -- including 30 Britons -- at a beach resort north of Sousse on June 26, British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to his Tunisian counterpart Habib Essid.

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3 Leaders of Qaida-Linked Tunisia Group Killed

Three leaders of an Al-Qaida-linked jihadist group blamed for a spate of violence in Tunisia were among five "terrorists" killed last week in a security raid, the interior minister has said.

Najem Gharsalli said the three jihadists were "heavyweights" from the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigades, Tunisia's main extremist group which had been blamed for the March attack on the Bardo National Museum.

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Senior Leader of Tunisian Qaida-Linked Group Killed

A senior leader of an al-Qaida-linked jihadist group that has been blamed for a spate of violence in Tunisia was among five militants killed by security forces in a recent raid, an official said Saturday.

"The DNA test just confirmed that Mourad Gharsalli was shot dead yesterday (Friday)," presidential spokesman Moez Sinaoui wrote in a post on his Twitter account.

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Tunisia Says 127 Arrests since Jihadist Beach Massacre

Tunisian authorities have arrested 127 suspected "terrorists" since last month's massacre of tourists at a beach resort, the minister heading the crisis group on the incident said Saturday.

"Since the attack, the security forces have carried out more than 700 operations resulting in the arrests of 127 suspected members of terrorist gangs," Kamel Jendoubi said.

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Tunisia's 'Non-NATO Ally' Status Confirmed by U.S.

Tunisia's status as a "non-NATO ally" of the United States has been approved, the U.S. State Department said, paving the way for enhanced military cooperation between the countries.

Washington hailed the partnership between the United States and Tunisia after the Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status was confirmed Friday.

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Tunisia Says Five 'Terrorists' Killed

Tunisian security forces killed five suspected jihadists on Friday in the country's central Gafsa region, an interior ministry spokesman said.

"Five terrorists were killed" in Jebel Orbata, Walid Louguini told AFP.

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Danes, Irish Urged to Leave Tunisia over Attack Fears

Denmark followed Britain's example on Friday in urging its nationals to cut short their holidays in Tunisia after London warned the country was still unsafe after last month's beach massacre.

Tunisia's prime minister said he would telephone British counterpart David Cameron to discuss London's advice which he said would have consequences on the North African nation, heavily dependent on tourism.

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Almost 5,500 Tunisians in Jihadist Ranks, Say U.N. Experts

U.N. experts said Friday that almost 5,500 Tunisians are fighting alongside jihadists abroad, urging Tunis to adopt a "national strategic plan" to curb the flow.

"The number of Tunisian foreign fighters is one of the highest among those traveling to join conflicts abroad such as in Syria and Iraq," said Elzbieta Karska, current head of a U.N. working group on the use of mercenaries.

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Tunis to Ring Cameron over British Travel Warning

Tunisia's premier said he would telephone British counterpart David Cameron Friday to discuss his government's advice that the North African nation, heavily dependent on tourism, was unsafe for holidays.

Guidance issued Thursday by the Foreign Office forced British tour operators to halt all holidays to Tunisia in a massive blow to a key sector of its economy.

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