Libya will not be a home for illegal migrants, and it is not Europe’s security guard.
The statement was made by Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, yesterday at an expanded meeting at his Tripoli Cabinet Office to discuss the irregular migration file.
The meeting, which was recorded and posted on the Tripoli government’s social media platforms, was in the presence of the Acting Minister of Interior, Imad Trabelsi, Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation, Ali Al-Abed, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Walid Al-Lafi, Acting Foreign Minister, Taher Al-Baour, Undersecretaries of the Ministry of Justice, Ali Shteiwi and Naziha Ashour, Director of the Military Intelligence Department, Major General Mahmoud Hamza, and Directors of Security Directorates in Tripoli, Zawiya, Zuwara, Misrata, and the Central Mountain. In addition to the Department for Combating Illegal Immigration and the Border Guard Service of the Ministry of Interior.
The meeting was devoted to discussing the security and economic challenges resulting from the influx of illegal migrants and taking urgent measures to control borders and combat smuggling and human trafficking.
Libya will not be a home for irregular migration
Aldabaiba said Libya will not be a home for irregular migration, stressing that the security and stability of the Libyan people is a red line. He denied rumours circulating about the government’s intention to settle migrants, stressing its categorical rejection of any settlement of this kind.
He said Libya is not Europe’s security guard nor will it be used as a dumping ground for illegal migrants from neighbouring states. Aldabaiba stressed that Libya is a transit route who has inherited the problem.
Action
Seeking action, he said illegal migrants must always be treated humanely, but that there is the need to launch a campaign to control irregular migrants. He said the Ministry of Labour and Interior need to cooperate to organise irregular labour.
He said illegal migrants must be stopped from forming large, visible gatherings in central urban locations. They must also be removed and prevented from living amongst Libyans in concentrations in central locations.
Aldadaiba said those that are already here need to be registered and organised. He said employers must become responsible for their irregular workers. He urged avoiding forcing employers to pay tax on their illegal workers for now so that they cooperate in organising them
He said Libya is happy to help African illegal migrants – but in their country.
He said Libya needs some illegal migrants for labour and admitted they help keep labour costs down. But he said Libya can no longer handle or afford the cost of looking after them in such huge numbers. Libya must stop more illegal migrants coming through its borders.
Specific categories must be repatriated or expelled
Aldabaiba said some specific categories cannot be dealt with.These included families (wives and children), those with diseases such as AIDS, and criminals. These need to be repatriated or expelled. He said embassies must work with the Libyan authorities to process these.
Libya must defend its borders, he stressed.
52,000 deported in 2023 and 2024
During the meeting, the Acting Minister of Interior, Imad Trabelsi, reviewed the ministry’s efforts in addressing the phenomenon of irregular migration, noting that the ministry deported 20,000 illegal immigrants in 2023, and 32,000 since the beginning of 2024, as part of intensive security measures aimed at controlling borders and combating illegal immigration.
An estimated 3 to 3.5 million illegal migrants in Libya
Trabelsi estimated that there are 3 to 3.5 million illegal migrants in Libya – with hundreds arriving daily. He reiterated the offer to help Africans in their country. He also called on embassies to accept responsibilities towards their migrants. He said the repatriation costs to Africa are about 1,300 per person plus the cost of 90 days of food on average.
He said Libya needs to secure its southern border with Niger, Chad and Sudan and it needs to strike back against human smugglers across Libya.
International community to shoulder its responsibilities
Aldabaiba also reviewed the government’s efforts to oblige the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, stressing that Libya will not bear the burden of border control alone, calling on the European Union to provide the necessary support to confront this phenomenon.
Implementing countermeasures
The meeting also discussed strengthening the security of the southern borders, tackling smuggling and human trafficking gangs, as well as urgent measures that include tightening control over the entrances to cities and main roads, deporting illegal migrants in coordination with source countries, developing clear policies to regulate regular employment, as well as coordinating security efforts to ensure the effective implementation of these measures.
Libya will not compromise on migration
At the end of the meeting, Aldabaiba stressed that Libya will not be subject to any pressure or compromises in the migration file, calling on the Libyan people not to be drawn into malicious rumours, stressing the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s security and stability.
