TUNIS: Tunisia, already destabilized by a political crisis, tightened security on Thursday after two failed suicide bombings that dealt a blow to the country’s vital tourism industry.

Only the suicide bomber was killed Wednesday in one attack on a beachside hotel in Sousse, and the security forces thwarted another attempted suicide attack soon thereafter in neighboring Monastir.

On Thursday police checks were considerably strengthened in and around Sousse, while tourists in the nearby resort of El Kantaoui said they were concerned but resolved to enjoy the rest of their vacations. “Yesterday I was scared, frankly. But I think such incidents are mostly a threat to Tunisia. The weather here still attracts us, and I’m determined to finish my holiday,” said a French tourist who identified herself as Aurelie.

Michele, another French holidaymaker lying on the beach, was also determined to see out her holiday. “I don’t want to think too much and ruin my vacation,” she said.

In the capital Tunis, police beefed up their presence on Habib Bourguiba Avenue and used barbed wire to cut off vehicle access to the interior ministry.

Security was also stepped up at Zarzis, a tourist spot near Djerba island and the border with Libya, which is considered a transit point for arms smugglers.

An AFP journalist said tanks were deployed around hotels, and police and army patrols searched vehicles on the road to Libya.

The presidency insisted the attacks, which have yet to be claimed, would not “derail” the democratic transition following the 2011 revolution, which kicked off the Arab Spring.

A national dialogue is under way between the ruling party Ennahda and the opposition to end a months-long political crisis sparked by the July assassination of opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi by suspected jihadists.

As part of a road map agreed by political leaders to break the stalemate, Ennahda is to hand over power to an interim government made up of independents.

Ennahda’s veteran leader Rached Ghannouchi denounced “those who tried to target tourists,” calling them “criminals who want to destroy Tunisia, its economy and its democratic transition.”