Tunis — Italian Secretary of State to Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stefania Craxi , on a visit in Ras Jedir to enquire about the situation of refugees and look at means to reduce the number of displaced persons stranded at Tunisian-Libyan borders.

During her visit, she declared: " Tunisia's people and government have carried out a huge task, which requires stronger cooperation with this country".

She urged the international community and all brotherly and friendly states to cooperate to help repatriate thousands of refugees especially Bangladeshis.

She hailed the Army efforts in handling this hard humanitarian situation saying that her visit in Tunisia aimed as well to look at means to settle the issue of illegal immigration through increased supervision of coasts and closer cooperation to fight against this phenomenon.

Mrs Craxi also said that 250 million-euros (about 475 million dinars), in donation and loan , have been allocated to Tunisia to support its development process and boost its private sector through the setting up of small businesses , the promotion of regional development and vocational training.

Besides, Mrs Craxi attended the first operation of repatriation organized by Italy to evacuate 300 Bangladeshis, knowing that a second flight is scheduled for today,

On the other hand, a US high-level delegation escorted by the US ambassador in Tunis, visited the crossing post of Ras Jedir to enquire about the conditions and accommodation of refugees in camps.

The delegation members reaffirmed the US commitment to help Tunisia evacuate refugees, and cooperate with Tunisia's Red Crescent to keep on meeting humanitarian needs.

They reminded that their country had been among the first to provide a 30 million-dollar-aid to Tunisia to cope with this difficult situation.

This story was written on March 10 2011 in the Society section