Story highlights President: Country at war against barbarism, will exterminate the "rats"

Tunisia's armed forces killed 43 "terrorists" after an attack on a barracks, officials say

The interior ministry says several members of the armed forces and civilians were also killed in clashes

(CNN) At least 43 militants have been killed in clashes following an attack on a military barracks near Tunisia's border with Libya, Tunisia's defense ministry said Wednesday.

Seven suspected terrorists were also arrested after the attack in the town of Ben Gardane, the ministry statement said.

Air patrols in the area around the border have intensified, and the main crossings with Libya -- Ras Ajdir and Dheiba -- were closed Tuesday.

Authorities asked residents in Ben Gardane to stay indoors and report any suspicious activity.

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Human rights activist Mustapha Abdelkebir in Ben Gardane told CNN that a senior counter terror official -- his relative -- was among the dead.

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