Tunisia ends deadly siege of museum

At least nineteen people, including seventeen foreign tourists, have been killed in a security operation at a museum in Tunisia's capital after a deadly hostage siege.

The country's Prime Minister, Habib Essid, in a statement said men with assault rifles fired at tourists climbing from buses in front of the National Bardo Museum in central Tunis.

Mr. Essid said the attackers, who wore military-style uniforms and wielded assault rifles, were killed, leaving 44 others wounded.

Prime Minister Essid described the attack as an unprecedented assault on the economy. Newly elected President Beji Caid Essebsi in an address to the nation said Tunisia is waging a war against terrorists and has urged all Tunisians to join the fight.

Polish, Japanese, Italian, Australian, French, Spanish and Colombian tourists were said to be among victims of the attack.  Meanwhile, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said all hostages have been freed and the security operation is over.

ALJAZEERA