The UAE Emirates airline has been banned from landing in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, after a number of Tunisian women were prevented from boarding its flights.
The ban comes amid widespread anger in Tunisia, with rights groups condemning “racist and discriminatory” measures.
The Tunisian transport ministry said the measure would stay in place until Emirates was able to “operate flights in accordance with law and international agreements”.
In response, the UAE said “security information” had caused the delays.
Emirati Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash tweeted on December 24: “We contacted our Tunisian brothers about security information that necessitated taking specific procedures.
“We highly value Tunisian women and respect them.”
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According to Tunisian government officials, the UAE had banned Tunisian women from flying to or transiting through its territory.
On December 22, the Tunisian government said it had asked the UAE ambassador to clarify what was happening and had been told that the measures had been temporary and had already been lifted.
According to local media, Tunisian women had been blocked from boarding Emirates flights to Dubai over several days.
Some Tunisian women said their journeys to the UAE had been delayed and some that their visas had to undergo additional examination, the AFP reported.
Tunisia has been trying to improve relations with the UAE that were damaged by its 2011 revolution.
Its ruling Ennahda party also has links to Qatar, which has been cut off by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain over its alleged support for terrorism.
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