Tozeur — On his visit to the governorate of Tozeur, on Thursday, President Moncef Marzouki met with several local people who voiced to him their concerns, insisting on the need to pay greater attention to the region by means of devising development projects that would open up employment prospects for youths.

Some of the citizens underscored the necessity to safeguard the oases and address the enormous deficit in irrigation water, while others called for assistance of small farmers, notably by means of rescheduling of their debts.

Other preoccupations were also discussed during President Marzouki's meeting with the local people, notably the need for alternatives that would help boost Saharan tourism, swift action to salvage hotel units still operating, working out new marketing strategies and energising activity of the Tozeur airport, while linking it to main international airports.