National Guard units shot the man, who was armed, between Mount Serj and Mount Ballouta in Siliana province on Sunday, said ministry spokesperson Walid Louguini.

“Security forces were able to shoot and kill a terrorist element who, according to an initial assessment, appears to be a foreigner,” he said.

They seized a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a hand-grenade and another explosive device.

Islamist militants have killed dozens of police and soldiers since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.