It has now been extended from December 24 until February 21, the country’s president Beji Caid Essebsi confirmed yesterday.

The British Foreign Office confirmed the extension, adding that further attacks remain “highly likely, including against foreigners”.

The state of emergency means the president and armed forces have increased powers, and suspends some rights. The statement from the president said the decision to extend it was made following consultations with the prime minister and parliament speaker.

The state of emergency was first declared after a suicide bombing killed 12 presidential guards in an attack in the centre of Tunis in November – the third significant Islamist militant attack in the country this year, after two separate gun attacks on western tourists.

Seventeen cruise passengers were killed in March when a gunman opened fire as they visited the Bardo museum in Tunis. Later in June, 38 tourists were shot and killed on a beach in Sousse, 30 of whom were British.