Libya’s Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi announced that the country hosts 4 million illegal immigrants, stressing that Libya cannot shoulder this burden alone given the current security and economic challenges. He rejected the idea of Libya as a resettlement zone and called for international collaboration to secure borders and combat human trafficking.
Emad Al-Trabelsi, the Minister of Interior in Libya’s Government of National Unity, stated that Libya currently accommodates 4 million illegal immigrants. During a meeting at the Ministry of Interior, he emphasized that Libya cannot manage the ongoing influx of immigrants alone, especially amidst its existing security and economic challenges. The meeting involved various ambassadors and representatives from the European Union, African Union, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Al-Trabelsi highlighted the increasing complexity of the immigration crisis in Libya, noting that the influx derails security and economic stability. He cautioned that the unregulated flow of immigrants poses risks not only to Libya but also to the broader region, exacerbating social tensions. He firmly stated, “the continued flow of immigrants without controls will lead to the deterioration of security and social conditions, not only in Libya but throughout the entire region.”
The Minister insisted that Libya will never become a resettlement zone, stating that the country’s sovereignty and national security are paramount. He proposed that substantial solutions to the immigration crisis require securing Libya’s southern borders rather than merely monitoring its coastlines, as primarily focused on by the EU. Al-Trabelsi urged EU nations and others impacted by migration issues to share the burden and enhance support for Libya by
improving security measures at its southern borders. Such support could entail the provision of modern surveillance equipment, expedited voluntary deportation processes in cooperation with international bodies, and intensified efforts to dismantle human trafficking and smuggling networks through stringent actions against organized crime hubs.
In conclusion, Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi of Libya has emphasized the critical state of illegal immigration in the country, with a reported 4 million immigrants posing significant socio-economic and security challenges. He firmly rejects the notion of Libya becoming a resettlement zone and advocates for international cooperation to address the root causes of this crisis by enhancing border security and combating smuggling networks. Al-Trabelsi’s call for support from EU nations and others reflects the need for collective responsibility in tackling this pressing issue.
Original Source: libyaobserver.ly
