ZARZIS: Tunisian and Libyan authorities have reached a deal to lift a trade blockade at their main border crossing on Saturday, officials said. According to Tunisian Governor Tahar Matmati, the breakthrough came after an agreement related to customs duties for goods passing through Ras Edir was reached on late Friday. Libyan border officials halted all freight traffic through the crossing in a bid to stop the smuggling of fuel – which is much cheaper across the border. The closure sparked demonstrations on the Tunisian side and a strike in the impoverished town of Ben Gardane on Wednesday, whose economy is heavily dependent on trade with Libya. On Monday, police used tear gas to disperse a protest by hundreds of demonstrators. Ben Gardane was also hit by militant violence in March from across the border that killed seven civilians, 13 security personnel and 55 extremists.