US citizens secretly evacuate Tunisia

The US evacuated about 100 of its citizens in Tunisia following the violent events that took place last Friday around the U.S. embassy in Tunis, where protests were angered by the anti-Islam film that offends the Prophet. The United States has ordered the evacuation of non-essential nationals and also advised its citizens not to travel to Tunisia. A diplomatic source confirmed that 100 US nationals including staff and residents were secretly evacuated on Sunday from Tunisia by plane. On Monday, the US Embassy staff resumed their work in Tunisia. However, the US embassy building remained closed to the public. An official at the American School told Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP): "The work at the American school that was ransacked and burnt last Friday is continuous and in full power in order to be able to re-open the school soon and maybe within a week." One of the school halls was burnt and all its contents were stolen. In addition to that, three school buses were burnt. The Official at the American School added: "Everyone thought that the protest will be peaceful and that there will be no riots or violations during Friday demonstration. Nevertheless, the events accelerated and the students and school staff were surprised. The school was evacuated in order to preserve lives.” One of the security staff of the school said: "Breaking into the school was deliberate and was planned in advance. As the protesters broke the surveillance camera at the major gate and destroyed the computer that contains all the security information at the basic monitoring hall, before going to other halls and stealing their contents then burning them."