Thomas Cook cancels UK Tunisia bookings over unrest

London (AFP) - Travel operator Thomas Cook has cancelled all British bookings to Tunisia until November following a wave of violent protests across the country.

Britain's Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the north African country, which is experiencing its worst social unrest since the 2011 revolution.

"In light of this, and given that we have no clear indication as to when the FCO travel advice may change, Thomas Cook can confirm that it has taken the decision to cancel all bookings to Tunisia up to and including 31 October 2016," the British company said in a statement.

"We appreciate that this may be frustrating for our customers who have been looking forward to their holiday," it added.

"The safety and well-being of all those who travel with us is our absolute priority."

The cancellation applies to some of the operator's foreign markets, although its flights from France, Austria and Germany are still operating.

Customers who are due to travel will be able to cancel or amend their holiday to another destination.

The operator is individually contacting customers whose bookings are affected.

Hundreds of police staged a protest on Monday outside Tunisia's presidential palace to demand a pay rise, in the latest sign of the country's economic and social woes.

Apart from the political turmoil of the past five years which has handicapped the economy, the north African country also faces jihadist violence that has devastated its vital tourism industry.