The United Nations says a member of its panel of experts monitoring sanctions against Libya has been arrested in Tunisia despite having diplomatic immunity.

Moncef Kartas, a Tunisian national, was arrested after arriving at Tunis airport on Tuesday, UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Friday.

Haq said the world body has asked Tunisian authorities about the reasons for his arrest and the conditions under which he is being held.

Asked if the UN had requested Tunis to release Kartas, Haq replied: "We have informed the authorities that his actions are covered by the conventions on privileges and immunities, so yes, we have made that point clear."



He added: "Experts on mission for the United Nations, as Mister Kartas is, are covered by the convention on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations."

Arab League summit

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to arrive in Tunis to attend an Arab League summit at the weekend, with the conflict in Libya high on the agenda.

The spokesman declined to say whether Guterres would raise Kartas's case directly with Tunisian leaders.

Kartas was appointed to the panel of experts in 2016, tasked with investigating violations of the arms embargo on Libya.

The panel reports to the UN sanctions committee on Libya and details its findings in an annual report. An interim report is due in June.

Previous reports by the panel have found that arms and ammunition continued to be delivered to the warring parties in Libya in violation of the UN embargo, with the involvement of member states.</s>TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian authorities have detained a U.N. official involved in monitoring an international arms embargo on Libya as part of an investigation by an anti-terrorism unit, state news agency TAP said on Saturday.

It was the first time Tunisia had confirmed the arrest of the official, Tunisian national Moncef Kartas, who a U.N. spokesman said on Friday had been detained earlier in the week at Tunis airport despite having diplomatic immunity.

A spokesman for a Tunisian anti-terrorism judiciary unit told TAP the detained official had traveled in a private capacity on his Tunisian passport, meaning he was not entitled to diplomatic immunity and could be arrested.

The U.N. spokesman had also called on Tunisia to clarify the reason for his arrest. Saturday’s TAP report said it was linked to a probe by the special judiciary unit, but gave no further details.

On Friday, the interior ministry said two unnamed Tunisians had been arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of spying. It did not say if Kartas was one of the two.</s>UN says expert arrested in Tunisia has diplomatic immunity

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations says a member of the U.N. panel of experts monitoring sanctions against Libya has been arrested in Tunisia despite having diplomatic immunity.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Mocef Kartas, who reportedly has dual German-Tunisian citizenship, was arrested following his arrival in Tunis on March 26.

Haq told reporters Friday that the U.N. has asked Tunisian authorities about the reasons for his arrest and the conditions under which he is being held.

He said the U.N. also informed authorities that "experts on mission for the United Nations, as Mr. Kartas is, are covered by the convention on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations."

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be attending the Arab League summit in Tunis this weekend.</s>The United Nations logo in the corridors of the its headquarters in New York City (AFP Photo/Ludovic MARIN)

Tunis (AFP) - A UN official charged with investigating alleged violations of a UN arms embargo on Libya, has been detained in neighbouring Tunisia on suspicion of spying, Tunisian and UN officials said Friday.

Moncef Kartas, a member of the panel of experts of the Libya sanctions committee, was arrested on his arrival in Tunis on Tuesday, a UN spokesman told AFP.

"We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities to know why he has been held for questioning," a UN statement said, adding that as a UN expert Kartas was entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Tunisia website universnews said Kartas had dual Tunisian and German nationality.

Confirmation of his arrest comes just a day before UN chief Antonio Guterres is due to attend an Arab summit in Tunis with the conflict in Libya to be high on the agenda.

After initially making no comment on the case, the Tunisian authorities confirmed on Friday that they had detained two Tunisians, including Kartas, on suspicion of "spying for foreign parties".

"Confidential documents containing sensitive detailed data capable of harming national security were seized, along with technical equipment for jamming and intercepting communications that is banned in our country," the interior ministry said in a statement.

In a 2017 report co-signed by Kartas, the UN panel of experts found that arms and ammunition continued to be delivered to the warring parties in Libya in violation of the UN embargo with the involvement of member states.</s>TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia has arrested a U.N. official involved in monitoring an international arms embargo on Libya although he has diplomatic immunity, a U.N. spokesman said on Friday.

Moncef Kartas, a Tunisian national and member of a U.N. panel of experts assigned to monitor an arms embargo imposed on Libya in 2011, was arrested after arriving at Tunis airport on Tuesday, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said.

“We are in touch with the Tunisian authorities to ascertain the reasons for his arrest and detention as well as the conditions under which he is being held,” Haq said.

The Tunisian interior ministry could not be reached for comment.

The interior ministry said in a statement on Friday that two unnamed Tunisian citizens were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of spying for foreign parties. The ministry had also seized secret documents undermining national security, it said, adding that investigations were ongoing.

It was not clear if one of those detained was Kartas.</s>Tunisia has arrested a United Nations (UN) official charged with monitoring alleged violations of an international arms embargo on Libya on suspicion of “spying.”

Tunisian authorities arrested Moncef Kartas, a member of the panel of experts of the UN’s Libya Sanctions Committee, after he arrived in the capital, Tunis, on Tuesday, a UN spokesman told AFP on Friday.

“We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities to know why he (Kartas) has been held for questioning,” a UN statement said, noting that Kartas enjoys diplomatic immunity.

According to Tunisia website universnews, Kartas has dual Tunisian and German nationality.

The Tunisian Interior Ministry said in a statement on Friday that two Tunisian citizens, including Kartas, had been detained on suspicion of “spying for foreign parties.”

“Confidential documents containing sensitive detailed data capable of harming national security were seized (from the suspects), along with technical equipment for jamming and intercepting communications that is banned in our country,” the ministry said.

It added that investigations were ongoing.</s>TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian authorities have detained a U.N. official involved in monitoring an international arms embargo on Libya as part of an investigation by an anti-terrorism unit, state news agency TAP said on Saturday.

It was the first time Tunisia had confirmed the arrest of the official, Tunisian national Moncef Kartas, who a U.N. spokesman said on Friday had been detained earlier in the week at Tunis airport despite having diplomatic immunity.

A spokesman for a Tunisian anti-terrorism judiciary unit told TAP the detained official had travelled in a private capacity on his Tunisian passport, meaning he was not entitled to diplomatic immunity and could be arrested.

The U.N. spokesman had also called on Tunisia to clarify the reason for his arrest. Saturday's TAP report said it was linked to a probe by the special judiciary unit, but gave no further details.

On Friday, the interior ministry said two unnamed Tunisians had been arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of spying. It did not say if Kartas was one of the two.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.

Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.</s>Tunisia is a gem among gems in North Africa. The country enjoys temperate Mediterranean weather, a bounty of amazing Roman ruins, miles of spotless beaches, and abundant wildlife; you won’t get bored during a visit here. The Romans, Turks, Arabs, and French have all left their mark on Tunisia through the ages, and you will be fascinated by the rich and diverse culture that exists and thrives today. Tunisia’s long Mediterranean coastline is home to several world class cities, including Tunis (the capital and largest city), Sfax, and Sousse. Tunisia is considered one of the premier destinations of North Africa; make sure to book plenty of time to explore this gorgeous country.

What to Do in Tunisia

1. Carthage: Follow in the footsteps of Hannibal, and explore an ancient city destroyed and rebuilt by the Romans. The excavated site is large, but a light rail runs right through the middle of the city, which makes getting about easier. Make sure you check out the National Museum, as well as the amphitheater and the Antonine baths. We recommend setting aside a whole day to explore Carthage.

2. Bardo Museum: Located just outside of Tunis, the Bardo Museum is considered by many to be the equivalent of the Louvre for mosaics. The building itself is a 13th-century palace, and the Roman mosaics and other Tunisian artifacts it houses are outstanding. The museum is organized according to era, including the prehistoric, Roman, Christian, and Islamic eras, and is easy to navigate. It takes a few hours to see in its entirety, so give yourself a break from the heat and view some of the most beautiful mosaics, artifacts, and architecture of Tunisia.

3. Sahara Desert: You would be neglectful if you did not visit the Sahara, as it covers much of Tunisia. Travel down to the desert town of Douz, where you can organize a tour of the desert by camel or four-by-four. Of course, you wouldn’t come all this way and miss out on a visit to Luke Skywalker’s hometown, Matmâta: the Berber town, made up of dugout caverns, is where parts of the Star Wars films were shot and is now a popular tourist destination. You can even stay at the hotel that was used as the set for Luke’s home, the Hotel Sidi Driss.

4. Djerba: Djerba, an island on the eastern coast of Tunisia, is the largest island in North Africa. Its interior is full of small desert areas, and among the island’s many sites are Roman ruins, an ancient synagogue, craftsmen working in silver and clay, and beautiful fruit orchards. And you can always enjoy a day at the beach, which spills out into the Mediterranean Sea. Get your tanning lotion ready.

5. Lake Ichkeul: Great for bird watching and getting some exercise, Lake Ichkeul was declared a World Heritage Site in 1980. Every year hundreds of thousands of migrating birds stop at the freshwater lake to nest. Unfortunately, owing to dam construction, the water levels have dropped significantly, and the number of winged visitors to the lake has decreased. The lake and surrounding national park are excellent for hiking and photography, though. Among the bird species are magnificent geese, storks, and pink flamingoes.

6. Hammamet: Hammamet is the ultimate coastal location for relaxing: on the Cap Bon Peninsula, 40 miles south of Tunis, the beaches of Hammamet are always busy, and the village abounds in splendid architecture and comfortable hotels. We recommend hiring a tour guide to show you around Hammamet; then again, you may just want to stay in the water and go snorkeling or windsurfing.

7. Sidi Bou Said: There is a special atmosphere in this small Tunisian town. Sidi Bou Said is a village of blue and white buildings, overlooking the Bay of Tunis. It is a fine place to spend an afternoon drinking mint tea and admiring the views. We recommend taking some time to explore the town, buy some souvenirs from local craftsmen, and get lunch from one of the town’s many small cafés. Sidi Bou Said is a rare place for tourists and locals alike to take a breather from the daily grind.

8. Korba Lagoon: Located near beautiful buildings and Roman ruins, the Korba Lagoon is frequented by many different species of birds during their migratory travels every year. The lagoon happens to be next to beaches as well; it’s worth a visit.

9. Amphitheater of El-Jem: El-Jem is home to a massive Roman amphitheater rising up from the low-lying landscape of the city. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1979, the amphitheater is the largest of its kind in North Africa, a place where gladiatorial fights and chariot races once were held.

10. Dougga: These are definitely the best-preserved Roman ruins in the country, and it is worth your money to hire a guide to show you around the site. Be sure to check out the massive theater built into the hillside, as well as the beautiful Temple of Saturn. If you are around in July or August, come for the Dougga Festival, where you can watch performances in the theater.

When to Go

While the summer is an ideal time to visit Tunisia, considering the weather, expect to be surrounded by tourists. We recommend visiting the country in the spring (March to May), when the weather is still pleasant and there are fewer tourists. Also, if you are hoping to see the Sahara, the spring is a good time to go, as it’s not too hot (for a desert).

There are a number of festivals worth attending. The International Festival of the Sahara takes place every November and December in Douz. It’s Tunisia’s oldest festival, and you can join thousands to watch camel and horse races, hear traditional music, and see displays of desert life.

In July, the International Festival of Carthage features a multitude of film, music, dance, and drama performances by Tunisian and other regional artists. The event is recognized as being one of the most respected and oldest festivals in the region.

Getting In and Around

Visas: Be sure your passport is valid for six months past your last day in Tunisia. If you are planning on staying in Tunisia for less than three months, then you do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. Just make sure you have two blank pages in your passport, as you will receive a stamped visa once you arrive in the country.

Transportation: Getting to/from Tunisia: If you fly into Tunisia, you will likely land at Tunis-Carthage International Airport, located in Tunis. From the airport, you can grab a taxi or a bus to the city center. Some flights may also land at Monastir-Habib Bourguiba International Airport, located on the northeastern coast of the country.

Ferries operate between France and Italy and Tunisia. The trip is popular, so make sure you purchase your tickets well in advance.

Within Tunisia: Getting around Tunisia is generally not difficult, as there are plenty of well-maintained travel options. For those with money to spend, a number of daily domestic flights are available. Additionally, many popular tourist locations are serviced by train routes. Long-distance buses travel between all cities and are generally comfortable and affordable. Finally, you can take a louage, a shared taxi that travels between towns. Louages are cheap and, unlike other shared taxis, not too crowded.

Within cities, buses are generally reliable. We recommend taking taxis, however, as they are the most efficient and the safest form of transportation.

Mobile Phones: A SIM card–enabled phone is definitely the best way to go in terms of mobile phone use in Tunisia. You can buy the phones inexpensively, and top-up cards are sold all over the country.

Concerned about your safety as you plan travel to Tunisia? We at Africa.com, together with our friends, family and colleagues, travel extensively throughout the continent. Here are the resources we consult when thinking of our safety in Tunisia:

Africa.com comment: Very timely and frequently updated. Perspective assumes that you ARE going to travel to Tunisia, and seeks to give you good guidance so that you understand the risks and are well informed.

Africa.com comment: Can sometimes be considered as overly conservative and discourage travel altogether to destinations that many reasonable people find acceptably secure. On the other hand, they have the resources of the CIA to inform them, so they know things that the rest of us don’t know. See what they have to say about Tunisia.

1. The capital and largest city in the country, Tunis, is also the capital of the Tunis Governorate, one of Tunisia’s 24 provinces.

2. The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian dinar. There are 1,000 millimes in every dinar.

3. Numerous newspapers are published in Tunisia, including La Presse, Al-Horria, Nouvelles de Tunisie, Assabah, and Le Quotidien.

4. Arabic is the official language of Tunisia. French is spoken widely, as are English and German.

5. Smoking in public is prohibited in Tunisia. Within private institutions, spaces may be allocated for smoking.</s>A global rights group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has charged Tunisia to bar entry to or arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is a fugitive from international justice.

A Sudanese news source reported on March 21, 2019 that al-Bashir intends to attend the League of Arab States summit, which will be held in Tunisia, a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), on March 31.

Al-Bashir is sought on two ICC warrants for alleged genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur, Sudan.

“Tunisia should demonstrate its commitment to international justice by barring President al-Bashir or arresting him if he sets foot in the country,” said Elise Keppler, associate international justice director at HRW. “Al-Bashir is an international fugitive who should be in The Hague to face the charges against him, not attending summits hosted by ICC members.”

A visit by al-Bashir would be the first time Tunisia had allowed an ICC fugitive on its territory since it joined the court in 2011. Allowing al-Bashir to visit without arrest would be a reversal of Tunisia’s commitment to support and cooperate with the ICC under the court’s Rome Statute.

At the ICC’s annual meeting of member countries in December 2018, Tunisia’s ambassador in The Hague expressed, “the firm commitment of Tunisia to the Rome Statute and unwavering support for the fight against impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.”

While some ICC members have allowed al-Bashir on their territory, others have avoided such visits under their obligation to cooperate with the ICC, including by relocating or rescheduling meetings or asking Sudan to send other representatives to meetings. ICC members should urge Tunisia to take such action, HRW said.

In 2009, Botswana and Denmark both signaled that al-Bashir risked arrest if he entered their territory. In 2012, Malawi relocated an African Union (AU) summit because of the AU’s insistence that al-Bashir should be allowed to attend the meeting if it took place in Malawi as scheduled. Al-Bashir canceled a visit to Zambia in 2010 amid calls for his arrest. He traveled to Nigeria in 2013, but abruptly departed amid public outcry and a complaint filed by activists for his arrest.

In 2017, Jordan welcomed al-Bashir to attend a League of Arab States summit. The ICC judges concluded that Jordan had defied its international obligations to arrest al-Bashir and sent its finding to the United Nations Security Council. Jordan appealed the decision, which is pending before an ICC appeals chamber.

In recent months, Sudanese government security forces have used excessive force against protests: shooting and killing dozens of unarmed protesters, beating and torturing them, and attacking hospitals treating them.

Government forces have also attacked civilians in Darfur, despite government claims that the conflict there has ended. The longstanding impunity for human rights violations by authorities in Sudan has fueled ongoing brutality, HRW said.

As an ICC suspect, the Sudanese president would receive the full range of protections under international law for people accused of crimes at the court.

“The ICC relies on its member states like Tunisia for cooperation in the surrender of suspects to be effective,” Keppler said. “Darfur victims, hundreds of thousands of whom have lived in refugee or displaced persons camps for well over a decade, deserve to see al-Bashir face justice at long last.”
Tunisian authorities acknowledge they are detaining Tunisian national Moncef Kartas, a UN Libyan arms embargo monitor who has diplomatic immunity. Tunisia says Mr. Kartas had traveled in a private capacity on his Tunisian passport. The United Nations has called for his release and for Tunisia to clarify the reason for his arrest.