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The United Nations logo in the corridors of its headquarters in New York. By Ludovic MARIN (AFP)
The United Nations has asked Tunisia to release a UN expert to investigate sanctions violations in Libya following his suspected arrest, a spokesman said Friday.
Moncef Kartas, a Tunisian national and member of the UN panel of experts for Libya, is entitled to diplomatic immunity, said UN spokesman Farhan Haq.
Kartas was arrested on his arrival in Tunis Tuesday, alongside a second Tunisian national, suspected of "spying for foreign parties," the Tunisian authorities said.
"Confidential documents containing sensitive detailed data that could affect national security have been seized, as well as technical material to jam and intercept prohibited communications in our country," the Interior Ministry said in a statement. communicated.
Asked if the United Nations had asked Tunis to release Kartas, Haq said: "We informed the authorities that its actions were governed by the conventions on privileges and immunities, so yes, we are not doing so. have made it clear. "
"The mission experts for the United Nations, like Mr. Kartas, are covered by the convention on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations," he added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to arrive in Tunis to attend an Arab summit this weekend. The conflict in Libya is high on the agenda.
The spokesman declined to say whether António Guterres would present the Kartas case directly to Tunisian leaders.
"We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities to know the reasons for his arrest and detention, as well as the conditions in which he is held," said Haq.
Kartas was appointed to the group of experts in 2016 to investigate the violations of the arms embargo imposed on Libya.
The group reports to the UN Sanctions Committee on Libya and presents its findings in an annual report. An interim report is expected in June.
Earlier panel reports revealed that weapons and ammunition continued to be delivered to warring parties in Libya, in violation of the UN embargo, with the participation of member states.
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