TUNIS, Tunisia – A group of almost 200 Egyptians have crossed into Tunisia from Libya, the first of thousands expected to flee the turmoil in the country.
The execution of 21 Egyptian Christians by extremists and retaliatory Egyptian airstrikes has prompted many Egyptians to want to leave Libya.
Authorities said 192 Egyptians went through the Ras Jdir border crossing Friday and headed to the Djerba airport where they will fly back to Cairo.
Egypt has said it will send planes to transport home its citizens.
The Egyptians were briefly held up by protesters in the Tunisian border town of Ben Guerdane who have been calling for greater government investment in the impoverished region.
The protesters eventually let through the Egyptians, giving them bread and water. Many more are expected.
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