TUNIS

 The Tunisian government on Wednesday approved new legislation aimed at combatting terrorism and money laundering.

The two bills will now be referred to parliament for approval, according to cabinet spokesman Ahmed Zarrouk.

The move comes one week after five gunmen attacked a Tunis museum, leaving 23 people – including 20 foreign tourists – dead.

Zarrouk said the anti-terror bill provides a definition of terrorism and calls for the creation of a national counter-terrorism committee.

The bill, he added, would also provide protection for witnesses in terrorism cases.

In recent months, calls have mounted in Tunisia for new anti-terrorism legislation.