The head of the Interior Ministry of Libya’s Provisional Government of National Unity, Imad Trabelsi, called for serious international support for Libya in the fight against illegal immigration, Libyan channel The Libya Observer reported on July 18.
Speaking at the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum (TMMF) in Tripoli, Trabelsi said cooperation with the Maltese Minister of the Interior had contributed to the reduction of the flow of migrants to Malta, noting that the closure of the border with Tunisia had also contributed to the reduction in the number of migrants from Tunisia to Italy.
According to Trabelsi, migration flows have become similar to overpopulation, as around 2.5 million migrants have arrived in Libya and the number is expected to rise to 3 million.
Trabelsi called for support for the anti-immigration agency and border guards to carry out their tasks, noting that last year Libya spent $330 million on fighting illegal migration, while receiving only €30 million in international support. He confirmed that he had not received any formal or informal requests from European countries to host migrants in Libya. He also expressed Libya’s readiness to continue the voluntary return programme in cooperation with Italy and Malta, announcing the voluntary return of 6,000 migrants during 2024.
Let us recall that the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum (TMMF) was held in the Libyan capital Tripoli on 17 July 2024. The aim of the forum is to develop practical solutions to the immigration issue.
According to Walid Al-Lafi, Minister of Communications and Political Affairs of the Interim Government of National Unity of Libya, the forum will allow European and African countries to formulate a strategic vision on the issue of immigration.
Let us also remember that in 2011 a NATO operation was launched in Libya under the pretext of protecting the Libyan people from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. As a result of this NATO operation in Libya, Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed, and the country was plunged into chaos and a series of civil wars.
Libya’s civil wars have led to the proliferation of weapons and an increase in crime not only in the country but throughout the region. The prosperous African country has become a hub for smuggling, slave trading and a transit point for migrants.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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