Tourists evacuated from Tunisia

By Matt Gibson

Flights to Tunisia have been cancelled amid increasing political tension in the North African country.

Tour operator Thomas Cook suspended outgoing flights to Tunisia and announced plans to evacuate 1,800 British tourists currently on holiday in the country after the Foreign Office warned people not to travel there unless it was essential.

Potential for violent clashes is growing as thousands of protesters take to the streets of the country's capital, Tunis, to demonstrate against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime, which has seen high unemployment rates and is regarded by many as controlling and corrupt.

The increasing unrest will serve as a reminder to people of the importance of taking out comprehensive travel insurance.

Thomas Cook said on Friday: "Although there has been no specific problems for our holidaymakers, their well-being is our primary concern so, as a precaution, we've taken the decision to bring them back to the UK as soon as we can, using our fleet of aircraft today."