Britons, Danes urged to leave Tunisia over attack fears

Tunis 

Denmark followed Britain's example today in urging its nationals to cut short their holidays in Tunisia after London warned the country was still unsafe after last month's beach massacre.

Tunisia's prime minister said he would telephone British counterpart David Cameron to discuss London's advice which he said would have consequences on the North African nation, heavily dependent on tourism. 

Guidance issued Thursday by the Foreign Office in London forced tour operators from Britain, whose nationals bore the brunt of the beach massacre, to halt all holidays to Tunisia in a massive blow to a key sector of its economy.

The estimated 3,000 British tourists already in the country had their holidays cut short, and some have already flown home. 

Prime Minister Habib Essid told parliament late Thursday that the guidance "has repercussions, repercussions for other countries".

"We will ring the British prime minister to tell him we have done everything we can to protect all British interests and those of other countries -- that's our duty," Essid said.

"Britain is free to take whatever decision it likes; it's a sovereign country. But we too are a sovereign country, and we have a position to take."

Tunisia's foreign minister said his government would focus on trying to convince London to reverse its position.