Libya's interior minister in Tripoli announced on Monday that the Ras Ijdir border crossing with Tunisia has been fully reopened, following its closure three months ago due to armed clashes.

Initially reopened in mid-June for humanitarian, medical, and specially permitted cases from Tunisian and Algerian interior ministries, the crossing now resumes normal operations as calm has returned to the region.

During the reopening ceremony attended by Tripoli-based Government of National Unity's interior minister Emad Trabulsi and his Tunisian counterpart Khaled Nouri, several Libyan ambulances were observed entering Tunisia.

"Two hours after this ceremony, Libyan citizens will be able to go to Tunisia," Trabulsi told journalists at the crossing.

Nouri added that the crossing had been "reopened for all activities except smuggling".

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Ras Ijdir serves as the primary frontier crossing in western Libya, frequently used by Libyans seeking medical treatment in Tunisia and Tunisian traders transporting goods in the opposite direction.

Since a 2011 uprising, Libya has experienced persistent unrest and division between eastern and western factions, each governed by rival administrations. The Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli and controlling northwestern Libya, enjoys international recognition but not from the eastern-based parliament.

Emad Trabulsi, interior minister of the GNU, urged residents near the western border to support regional security forces in combating smuggling and illegal migration.

Trabulsi also announced plans to open two additional border crossings with Tunisia, contingent upon logistical support. Apart from Ras Ijdir, the two countries maintain another minor crossing at Wazen-Dhehiba, which has remained operational.

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