Libya emphasized that it is not a destination for irregular migration and cannot become a resettlement zone for migrants.
The declaration was made by Libya’s delegation during a meeting in Rome yesterday of the Quadripartite Cooperation Committee for Combating Irregular Migration.
Participants included Ibrahim Aldabaiba, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba; Walid Al-Lafi, Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs; Fabrizio Saggio, Diplomatic Advisor and National Security Advisor to the Italian Prime Minister, representing Italy; Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Senior Advisor to the President of Turkey; and Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
The meeting addressed the follow-up to the meetings of the Quadripartite Technical Cooperation Committees between Libya, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar. Discussions focused on mechanisms to enhance joint coordination in combating irregular migration and supporting Libyan efforts to protect its borders and combat smuggling and human trafficking networks.
During the meeting, the Libyan side emphasized that the Tripoli based Libyan government views migration as a complex sovereign, security, and humanitarian issue requiring genuine international partnership. This partnership should be based on supporting the capabilities of the Libyan state, strengthening the Ministries of Defence and Interior, and supporting stabilization and development projects in areas affected by migration routes.
The Libyan delegation stressed that addressing this phenomenon requires international cooperation, support for countries of origin, and the strengthening of voluntary return programmes, as well as development and stability initiatives within Libya.
The delegation reviewed the measures taken by the Libyan government in the past period, including support for the Ministries of Defence and Interior, developing the capabilities of the Coast Guard, and continuing work on establishing a joint operations centre within the framework of the quadripartite cooperation mechanism. They also highlighted the intensification of field operations against smuggling networks and organized crime.
Participants emphasized the importance of continued technical and political coordination among the four countries and the development of logistical and technical support mechanisms for Libya. This aims to contribute to strengthening stability and addressing the challenges associated with irregular migration in the Mediterranean region.
This meeting is part of the quadripartite cooperation initiative launched between Libya, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar. Its objective is to develop a joint coordination mechanism to support the Libyan state’s efforts in combating irregular migration, enhancing the capabilities of the Coast Guard and relevant agencies, and establishing a joint operations centre for field coordination and information exchange. This will contribute to reducing smuggling and human trafficking activities and supporting stability in the southern Mediterranean.
