Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said Saturday that Tunisia is in a state of war as the army announced highest alert to fight terrorism.

Essebsi said in a national address that security, economic and social challenges pushed Tunisia to announce exceptional measures after the approval of the parliament speaker and prime minister.

The state of emergency will be in place for a renewable period of 30 days.

The Tunisian president warned if the Sousse attack happened once more time, the state would collapse.

Essebsi blamed the poor security in Libya for Tunisia's problems, saying Daesh militants in Libya have a different way of life.

The decision came just over a week after a gunman attacked foreign tourists at the popular beach resort of Sousse, killing 38 people. Essebsi said the state of emergency would last 30 days.

Also, he alarmed the country is "not safe" and the war necessitates exceptional measures to win the battle.
Source: MENA