Tunisian insider Krayt checks in with a followup report to a spy report we ran yesterday about the Mos Espa set and also some non-spoiler information about returning to Tatooine for Episode III:

A brief phone call to a contact in Tozeur tipped me off that they are expecting LFL location scouts to return to western Tunisia at the end of 2001 to look for new locations for Episode 3. My source also told me that an Episode 3 filming crew is expected to be in Tunisia in late 2002. [With all the reports of scenes and sets already been filmed for Episode 3 in Sydney, does this mean that George Lucas is filming the last two Star Wars movies back-to-back?]

And a few spoilers you may enjoy about Episode II: I read the news you posted about the "concrete village", and though it doesn't mention Tunisia I'm guessing that they are referencing the Mos Espa set (probably the same conclusion that you had).

I haven't heard anything about this fire damage, but it does fit in with the slaves revolt that was rumored some time back. As for the "agreement to leave the setting intact for the time being" - this is because LFL does not own the set (in fact they never have) - the Tunisian government has ownership. According to the press officer at the Tunisian toursi toffice in London the Mos Espa sets will remain intact until they fall down. It seems that Tunisia is finally going to make more of an effort to attact holidaymakers on the back of Star Wars.

Great report - thanks for the information! And for more information on the planet we know as Tatooine, be sure to visit Tataouine Tours.