(VOVworld) – Tunisia has arrested a cell of 17 Islamist militants and prevented a major assault on hotels and security forces in the resort town of Sousse.

Tourist place flowers in tribute to the people killed in a terror attack on a beach in front of the imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, in June. (Photo: EPA)

Interior Ministry security chief Rafik Chelli said they have foiled a major attack this month that the terrorist cell was preparing against vital installations, hotels, security centers and against politicians to bring chaos to the country. Chelli said some of the militants had been trained in Libya and Syria and were awaiting orders to carry out the assault. Sousse was the site of one of two major attacks claimed by Islamic State in Tunisia this year, when 38 foreigners were killed at a beach hotel in June.