Tunisia says it will not be ‘reception centre’ for returning migrants

North African country, which agreed 1bn deal with EU to stem irregular migration, says it will take back only Tunisians

Tunisia has said it will not be a reception centre" for returns of sub-Saharan migrants from Italy or any other country in Europe despite a groundbreaking 1bn deal signed on Sunday.

Authorities in the north African country are determined not to enter a contract similar to that which the UK has with Rwanda and will take back only Tunisians who have made irregular entry to the EU.