Tunisia blocks Gaddafis aide from leaving country

Tunisian authorities prevented a close aide to deposed Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi from leaving Tunisia, and ordered him to appear in court for illegally entering the country, officials said Thursday.General Khouildi Hamidi and his family attempted to fly out of Tunis international airport on Wednesday but were stopped by customs police because his passport had not been stamped, a government official said.When questioned by police, he allegedly admitted sneaking into Tunisia, the official added.The Libyan general was taken before a judge and later released, but ordered to appear in court again next week.Mr. Hamidi has been ordered to appear in court in Tunis on Tuesday September 13 for illegal entry into Tunisias territory, and his passport has been confiscated, a judicial source said.According to sources, Hamidi was arrested by the Tunisian authorities, who are checking whether or not he is wanted by Libyas new rulers, the Western-backed National Transitional Council.Hamidi, a former head of military intelligence, served on the Revolution Command Council Gaddafi created when he seized power in 1969 and was considered one of the ousted leaders closest allies.On June 20, Hamidis house in the Sorman area, 70 kilometres (45 miles) west of Tripoli, was struck in a NATO raid which the regime said at the time had killed 15 people, including three children.During a September 3 visit, Mahmud Jibril -- number two in the Western-backed National Transitional Council (NTC) that toppled Gaddafi -- had held talks with Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi on bilateral security.Since Gaddafis 42-year-old regime started collapsing under the rebellions pressure, many senior officials in his entourage have defected or fled, often transiting through neighbouring Tunisia.Tunisia, also ruled by an interim administration since the shock January ouster of dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali that started the Arab Spring uprisings, officially recognised the NTC last month.