US embassy loss in Tunis to be compensated

The Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafiq Abdul Salam renewed his condemnation of breaking into the American embassy in Tunis on Friday by protesters who were against the anti-Islam film that offends the Holy Prophet. He confirmed: "The burning, looting and sabotaging of the contents of the American embassy and school falls under political crime and organised crime that does not honour Tunisia and its revolution.” Today in a press conference, the minister added that he informed the ambassador of America, France, Britain and Germany represented by the European Union in Tunis: “The government has full commitment to protect the embassies, diplomats, and foreign communities in Tunis.” He affirmed: "The departure of some of the staff and members of the American community in Tunisia is temporarily." He said that the American school will open its doors again soon. He pointed out the Tunisian government is going to compensate the financial losses that resulted from the violence.  At the same time, he denied any presence for al-Qaeda in Tunisia. Regarding the Tunisian boat that sank near the Italian coast of Lampedusa, Salam said: "The Tunisian Technical Committee, which was finally created, will meet next Tuesday before travelling to Italy in order to proceed with the joint investigation with the Italians in a bilateral framework in order to investigate the incident’s circumstances." The committee includes experts from the ministries of Interior, National Defence and Justice.