State Dept. warns against travel to Sudan, Tunisia; Trims number of people at posts

WASHINGTON - The State Department is ordering the departure of all family members and non-essential U.S. government personnel from posts in Sudan and Tunisia and is issuing travel warnings to the two countries due to security concerns over anti-American violence.

The department on Saturday said while Sudan's government has taken steps to limit the activities of terrorist groups, some remain there and have threatened to attack Western interests. The terrorist threat level remains critical.

The State Department said the airport in Tunis was open and it encouraged all U.S. citizens to depart by commercial air. It said Americans in Tunisia should use extreme caution and avoid demonstrations.