US eases Tunisia travel alert

Move could signal that unrest in North African nation is letting up after weeks of violence

Published January 28, 2011 10:57PM (EST)

Tunisian protestors, staging an overnight protest, demonstrate in front of the prime minister office in Tunis last year. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)
Tunisian protestors, staging an overnight protest, demonstrate in front of the prime minister office in Tunis last year. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

The State Department is easing its travel warning for Tunisia as the unrest that led to the authoritarian president's ouster has diminished in recent days. It says nonessential diplomats and the families of all embassy personnel who left Tunisia at the height of the uprising can return.

In a travel alert issued on Friday, the State Department said that the security situation in Tunisia has improved and public order has been largely restored even though "spontaneous and unpredictable events continue to occur." It said Americans in Tunisia should continue to exercise caution while in the country.

The alert was released as the department warned Americans to defer nonessential travel to Egypt due to large anti-government street protests there.


By Associated Press

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