Tunisian security units have arrested 7 members of al Qaida Maghreb terrorist network, which aimed at recruiting extremist militants to conduct operations in the area, a spokesman for the interior ministry said on Saturday.

He said the seven men had been arrested near the border with Algeria on Thursday and that a search operation was currently underway to apprehend others still at loose.

The interior ministry spokesman said that two men arrested last week near the town of Jendouba had admitted being part of a local Salafist Jihadist network. Explosives, weapons and electric stun guns were found onboard a rented car they were driving.

On Thursday, security patrols also arrested 5 members of the same network, including a man in possession of a pistol and 25 cartridges, the spokesman said, adding that combat and camouflage gear and maps were also found at the home of one of the fugitives.