Suicide bomber dies at Tunisian holiday resort

A suicide bomber blew himself up today in the Tunisian resort of Sousse without causing other casualties, and police seized a would-be suicide bomber at the tomb of former president Habib Bourguiba, security sources said.

The first bomber detonated his explosive belt on a beach near the Palm Hotel in Sousse, an important tourist destination south of the capital Tunis. The second was arrested at Bourguiba’s tomb in the town of Monastir.

Sousse is a popular beach resort some 20km from Monastir with over a million visitors annually. It is a popular destination for Irish holidaymakers.

Bombings are rare in Tunisia, but the government has said Islamist militants have exploited the chaos in neighbouring Libya to acquire arms and get training.

Earlier this year, Tunisia’s Islamist-led government began a crackdown on Ansar al-Sharia, one of the most radical groups to emerge since the country’s 2011 uprising. The group’s leader is a former al Qaeda veteran who once fought in Afghanistan.

Nine policemen were killed in clashes with militants earlier this month.

Reuters