Isis: Tunisia to build 100 mile wall along Libya border to defend against insurgents

Tunisia has announced plans to build a wall along its border with Libya in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country by Islamic extremists.

The government announced they are planning to build a 105 mile (168km) wall along the border, and for it to be completed by the end of 2015.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid said construction has already started after saying Libya had become "the biggest dilemma" affecting Tunisia.

In an interview with state television, Essid said the wall was part of Tunisia's plans to stop the influx of insurgents from their "anarchic" neighbours.

The gunman who killed 38 people on 26 June – including 30 Brits - in the Tunisian holiday resort of Sousse is believed to have trained in Libya, as well as those responsible for a previous shooting at the country's Bardo museum in March which left 21 people dead. The Islamic State (Isis) claimed responsibility for both attacks.

"We have started constructing the wall and digging a ditch along the entire border with Libya," said Essid. "The length of the wall will be 168 kilometres. The construction works will be over by the end of 2015."

Essid added he believed it will be "very difficult" to protect the border even after the completion of the wall.

Tunisia sealed its main border into Libya in August 2014 following a rise of violence and fighting in the country, and urged its estimated 50,000 to 60,000 Tunisian nationals living in Libya to leave "as soon as possible".