Tunisian soldier opens fire on troops at military base in Tunis

International media report that a Tunisian soldier has been shot dead after opening fire on other troops at a military base in Tunis, according to the country's defence ministry.

According to a hospital spokesman three other soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded.

Defence ministry spokesman Belhassen Oueslati said that the situation at the Bouchoucha barracks was brought under control by mid-morning and Tunisian security forces have been on alert since Islamist gunmen attacked a museum in March, killing 21 tourists.

The shooting at the barracks, which is close to the Bardo Museum and the parliament building, prompted the evacuation of a nearby school.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said it was not immediately clear what motivated the soldier, but added that the incident was not being viewed as a terrorist attack. Speaking on national radio, he said there was no gunfire outside the barracks.