msnbc.com news services
updated 1/12/2007 12:15:53 PM ET 2007-01-12T17:15:53

Islamic extremists involved in a deadly fire fight with police this month had blueprints of foreign embassies and documents naming foreign envoys, Tunisia's official news agency quoted the interior minister as saying Friday.

  1. Only on msnbc.com
    1. Courtesy Susan Weinger
      Barbecues 'bottom of the list' for mothers of fallen troops
    2. Panel breaks down the 2012 campaign
    3. AP
      Remains found at campsite could be missing hiker
    4. Trump hits trail with Romney
    5. youtube.com
      Australia teen dies after 'Final Goodbye' video
    6. Prime for msnbc.com
      Memorial Day grief for military suicide families
    7. TSA eases airport screening for elderly travelers

Interior Minister Rafik Haj Kacem described the extremists as "terrorists" in a closed door meeting with members of Tunisia's governing party, the TAP news agency reported.

“It concerns a group of terrorist Salafists who infiltrated (Tunisia) via the Algerian border,” Rafik Belhadj Kacem was quoted as saying.

“During the investigation, they found images of sites of some foreign embassies. They also confiscated documents containing a few names of foreign diplomats living in Tunisia and a quantity of traditional explosives.”

It was the first time authorities had made available official information on the Jan. 3 confrontation with police that left 12 people dead and shocked this tranquil North African country. Fifteen more were reportedly arrested during the rare gunbattle.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Discuss:

Discussion comments

,

Most active discussions

  1. votes comments
  2. votes comments
  3. votes comments
  4. votes comments
  1. Jump to text

    Islamic extremists involved in a deadly fire fig...

  2. Jump to discussion

    Tunisia: 'Terrorists' had embassies' blueprints