TUNIS (AFP) - Tunisian prosecutors are to appeal the "lenient" suspended jail sentences handed down against 20 people for their roles in an attack on the US embassy last year, the justice minister said on Friday.

Washington had said it was "deeply troubled" by the sentences.

"The public prosecutor's office has lodged an appeal," said Justice Minister Nadhir Ben Ammou.

"We understand the reaction of the United States given that they were the injured party, that the damage was huge and that the sentences were lenient."