The number of Tunisian illegal immigrants has reached around 25,000 since the 2011 revolution, the Secretary of State for Migration Radhouane Ayara said yesterday.

In cooperation with its neighbours, Tunisia has tried to reduce the flow of migrants however the numbers remain high.

Critics have said the only way in which the issue can be combatted is to restore confidence in the state, improve employment prospects, promote development and facilitate orderly migration.

The Ministerial Council will soon bring through a draft that will guide remittances from Tunisians living abroad to investment in Tunisia.