At least 28 jihadists, 10 members of the security forces and seven civilians were killed Monday in fighting in Tunisia near the Libyan border, the government said.

The jihadists, six members of the National Guard, two policemen, a customs official and a soldier died after the militants attacked security posts in the border town of Ben Guerdane at dawn, the interior and defence ministries said in a joint statement. 

Seven civilians were also killed in the clashes, the statement said, adding that the death toll was preliminary.