Tunisia Dismantles Cell Planning Attack on 'Senior Official'

Tunisia has dismantled a jihadist cell planning attacks including against security officials and a senior government official, a prosecution spokesman said Monday.

"The cell was targeting security officials and a figure holding an important  position within the government," Sofiene Sliti said.

Twenty-nine of the 62 alleged jihadists were referred to trial under the country's anti-terrorism law, Sliti said, while 20 others are on the run.

He said that seven other suspects were already behind bars for other offenses while the last six members of the cell are awaiting trial.

Tunisian media said the cell had planned to target Interior Minister Hedi Majdoub, but his ministry and Sliti refused to comment.

Tunisia has faced a rise in jihadist attacks since the 2011 uprising that led to the overthrow of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Jihadist attacks in Tunisia have cost dozens of lives among security forces as well as civilians, and 59 foreign tourists were also killed in 2015.