Tunisian security forces broke up an al-Qaeda recruiting network, the interior ministry announced on Saturday (December 15th). "A terrorist network responsible for recruiting radical Islamists and sending them to strongholds of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been dismantled," TAP quoted ministry spokesman Khaled Tarrouche as saying.

On Thursday, security forces intercepted a rental car in Souilem, Jendouba governorate, about 12 km from the Algeria border. Two passengers arrested at the scene reportedly admitted their membership in the recruiting network, which operated in Kef and Jendouba.

Police reportedly found explosives and other suspicious material inside the vehicle. Five other suspects captured later were in possession of weapons, ammunition, military uniforms and maps. Other members of the salafist jihadist cell were being sought in Jendouba.

Security forces were also still hunting for gunmen who killed a policeman last Monday in Bou Chebka, near the Algeria border, the ministry spokesman added.