Tunisian Officials Trying to Stop Young Tunisians From Fighting in Syria

Thousands have reportedly gone to Syria to fight Assad's regime

According to local media, thousands of young Tunisians recruited by local and regional networks are fighting government forces in Syria.

President Moncef Marzouki said last week that fighters returning from Syria could threaten Tunisia's efforts to restore security, likening them to Algerians who went to fight in Afghanistan and became radicalised.

The government hopes to hold elections by December to help to rescue a faltering democratic transition in the country that launched the Arab Spring.