Tunisian President Beji Caid Essibsi on Saturday declared a state of emergency in the country, a week after 38 tourists were killed in an attack on a holiday resort, state news agency TAP reported.

Essibsi was to address the nation later Saturday, the agency said without giving details.

Last week, a gunman opened fire on sunbathers in the coastal city of Sousse, perpetrating Tunisia's worst-ever terrorist attack.

Authorities identified the attacker as Seifeddin Rezgui, a Tunisian student, who was killed by police.

The Islamic State terrorist group, which is active in Syria and Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack.

In March, gunmen killed 21 tourists and a policeman in an attack on the Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis.