Tunisia has opened its border with Libya to allow hundreds of people, stranded in dire conditions, to return home.
The reopening came after several hundred Tunisian migrant workers forced their way across the Libyan border at the weekend.
As the coronavirus pandemic spread, hundreds of Tunisians who work in war-torn Libya began to head for home.
But they were unable to cross after their country closed its frontiers on March 16.
People began congregating on the dusty desert road to the border near a crossing point at Ras Jedir, outside the Tunisian town of Ben Guerdane.
Deprived of anywhere to bed down or wash, many were sleeping in a nearby mosque.
The crowd grew so large that Libyan border forces housed them in an open compound, while the International Organisation for Migration and Libyan Red Crescent provided emergency relief.
Federico Soda, the IOM's chief of mission in Libya, said people began to congregate on the Libyan side of the border in early April and by last weekend about 1,000 people were waiting to cross.
"By Sunday things were very tense," Mr Soda told The National.
"We had to pull our people out as it didn't seem that we were contributing to anything.
"My team got the strong sense that people weren't interested in anything other than returning to Tunisia.
"That evening, I'm told that a group of between 200 and 300 people were able to force the gate at the frontier and make their way into Tunisia before the Libyan security were able to regain control."
Tunisia's border guards, realising the seriousness of the situation, summoned reinforcements and eventually opened the gates for a controlled entry.
The government later said the remaining 652 nationals then entered Tunisia, with the last person crossing about 11pm local time on Monday.
Officers then took each person's details.
Coronavirus around the Middle East
"The old people and families were dealt with first and returned quickly to their governorates," said Dr Mongi Slim, head of the Red Crescent's offices in southern Tunisia.
"The men were all interviewed by security to see what they had been doing in Libya and how they had entered the country."
The conflict in Libya has drawn in thousands of foreign fighters, including Tunisians.
Dr Slim said there was resentment in the local community over the treatment of those trying to return.
It was in contrast to the way Tunisia sent European and Gulf workers to comfortable hotels along the coast for quarantine.
With at least 6,000 Tunisians working in neighbouring Libya, many of those yet to return are expected to try to soon make their way to the border.
The coronavirus pandemic is spreading in Libya at the same time as fighting intensifies.
Ramadan, starting this week, is also likely to draw many home to be with their families.
Libyan workers, mainly lorry drivers, are also stranded in Tunisia after Libya closed its borders on March 17 to try to stop the spread of Covid-19.
While the situation is calm, all are relying on the IOM and the Red Crescent for food and water until arrangements can be made for their return to Libya.
There is no official word, as yet, on a plan to allow them to cross.
Despite the turmoil that has engulfed Libya since 2011, the country is a tempting prospect for Tunisian workers.
Large numbers are drawn to work in the oil and gas industry, or what was until recently a healthy building sector, despite the war.
Smuggling has also proved to be a rewarding source of income on both sides of the frontier for decades.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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SPECS
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Lecce v SPAL (6pm)
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Sunday
Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)
Juventus v Brescia (6pm)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
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1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full