Russians in Tunisia get necessary help — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry says it is closely monitoring developments in Tunisia following the overthrow of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

“Representatives of our embassy in Tunisia have been in close contact with the remaining group of our tourists and with those who wished to return,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich told journalists. A group of 101 was flown back home on January 18.Another flight from the resort city of Monastir has been organized to bring back the remaining Russian tourists, said Lukashevich.There are also more than 700 Russian citizens permanently residing in Tunisia. “We have been providing all necessary consular assistance to them,” Lukashevich said.  No Russian nationals were injured in the riots.