The ‘‘Misrata Movement Against Settlement and Illegal Immigration’’ announced its support last Friday (24 October) for the demand of several activists to cancel the Libyan Italian agreement signed in 2017 by the Faiez Serraj Government.
The official Libyan state news agency, LANA, reported that the Movement also demanded that the Italian authorities be notified of the agreement’s non-renewal before 2 November. The movement called for a review of all agreements that affect national sovereignty or violate applicable Libyan legislation.
This came in a statement issued during a protest organized last Friday (24 October) in Misrata. The movement began by congratulating the Libyan people on Liberation Day and recalling the battles of Al-Hani and Al-Margab, in which heroic Libyan ancestors fought against the Italian occupation in October 1911, in defence of land, honour, and national sovereignty.
The movement called on the Libyan authorities to implement the provisions of Law No. (6) of 1987 regulating the entry, residence, and exit of foreigners from Libya, Law No. (24) of 2023 combating resettlement, and Law No. (19) combating illegal immigration. They also called on the authorities to deport infiltrators and illegal immigrants as quickly as possible, in coordination with their countries of origin and relevant international organizations, in accordance with international law and humanitarian agreements. They also called on the authorities to return to the provisions of the Libyan Nationality Law of 1954, ensuring the protection of Libyan identity and the preservation of the national structure
The movement called on human rights activists and legal professionals in Libya to file legal cases against anyone who deliberately obstructs or hinders the implementation of laws related to combating illegal immigration, and against those negligent in their duty to control borders and deport violators. The movement called on Libyan public and private media outlets to fulfil their national role in educating citizens about the dangers of infiltration and illegal immigration to security, society, and public health.
The Misrata Movement rejected the statements made by the Tripoli based Minister of Education, which included accusations targeting educational institutions and belittling teachers in the eyes of students and the world. The Movement demanded the Minister’s resignation and an immediate apology for his insults to Libyan teachers at the Arab and international levels.
The Movement’s statement considered this statement an attempt to localise foreign teachers in accordance with the labour agreements signed between it and the Palestinian and Sudanese authorities. It emphasized that employment in the education sector should be prioritized for Libyan citizens, given the sector’s importance in building generations and protecting national identity.
