By Yemna Selmi
TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) — Tunisia's president vowed Friday that the country would not tolerate irregular migration.
According to a statement by the presidency, Kais Saied said during a meeting with Ivorian Foreign Minister Kacou Adom that Tunisia "welcomes its African brothers and is committed to treating them humanely, but it will not allow any irregular migrants to exist on its soil."
During the meeting at the Carthage Palace in the capital Tunis, Saied stressed the "necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to irregular migration in order to put an end to this phenomenon, eradicate its deep-rooted causes, and combat the criminal networks that are behind it and engage in human trafficking and organ trade."
On an almost weekly basis, Tunisian authorities have been announcing the thwarting of attempts by irregular migrants to reach European shores, apprehending hundreds, both from Tunisia and other African countries.
The north African country is facing increasing pressure from Europe to exercise stricter controls over its shores and prevent migrant boats from departing.
Saied has repeatedly asserted that Tunisia "will not be a land for resettling irregular migrants and is working to ensure it is not a transit point for them."
*Writing by Mohammad Sio