Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi has reiterated his country and Libya's keenness to maintain close ties and to work towards developing it in the interests of both nations.

Jerandi made his remarks during a meeting with the US ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Bloom, on Friday. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, especially the situation in Libya, according to a statement by the Tunisian Foreign Ministry.

Relations between Tunisia and Libya have recently been tense after Tunisian officials claimed that terrorist groups are using the Libyan Al-Wattia Base near the border with Tunisia.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah pushed back against these allegations accusing "neighboring countries," including Tunisia, of exporting thousands of terrorists to Libya.

Tunisia has also refused to reopen its border with Libya despite the decision of the Libyan authorities to do so last August.

Media outlets from both countries were also into this as they continued to circulate rumors that the Tunisian Presidency refused to receive Dbeibah in Tunisia, which was not confirmed or denied by either side.