[Ennahar] Units of the Tunisian army arrested yesterday morning Tunisian Minister of Interior Rafik Belhadj, while he was en route to the Tunisian-Algerian border in an attempt to enter the Algerian territory.According to corroborating sources, the former Tunisian Minister Belhadj was accompanied by his personal bodyguards aboard three vehicles. They came from the Tunisian town of Beja, birthplace of the Minister and headed the Algerian-Tunisian border.
According to the same sources, the army forces stopped two vehicles while the third, on which the minister Belhadj was, managed to flee. A chase ensued and ended with the arrest of its occupant.
The interior minister, who was sacked two days ago, by the deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was returned to Tunis.
A series of arrests has been held during day of yesterday, led by army forces and the Tunisian National Guard against the officers in the corps of security, the presidential guards and police, in addition, Senior security officials, suspected of being behind the violence and looting that occurred after the flight of President Ben Ali were chased.
Moreover, land borders between Tunisia, Libya and Algeria have experienced an intense strengthening in order to prevent any attempt to escape of police and supporters of the Ben Ali regime. Dozens were arrested yesterday in southern Tunisia as they fled to Libya.
The former security chief of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was arrested at the request of the Tunisian justice who accused him of the recent atrocities committed against the people, said Sunday an official source.
On the other hand, we learn that General Ali Seriate was placed in custody after the presentation of the charges against him. The key man to security of the ousted president had been arrested at Ben Guerdane in southern Tunisia as he tried to flee to Libya.
According to this source, General Seriate was arrested by elements of the police and army and was sent back to Tunis.
Previously, an official source quoted by state television and official news agency TAP said General Ali Seriate had been formally accused of being responsible for atrocities against the population.