By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 10 September 2017:
Increased security has cut back migrant smuggling, Italian ambassador Giuseppe Perrone said today in Sabratha.
The envoy was in the town to meet mayor Hassen Dhawadi and congratulate him on the clampdown on people-traffickers.
In July and August migrant arrivals in Italy fell by a half. Italy’s technical, financial and training support for the Libyan coastguard has clearly contributed to this.
In Sabratha, after Dawadi said that his town was sick of people-smugglers working from local beaches, he announced last month that an armed group had been formed with local civilians and security forces and the support of tribal elders. The mayor said at the time that the group was being run by the “Operations Room Fighting IS” under its commander Omar Abdul Jalil.
