Libya Rejects Claims of Immigrant Resettlement Plans

Synopsis

Libya's Government of National Unity has officially denied claims regarding plans to resettle undocumented immigrants, describing the allegations as misleading and entirely false. This statement comes after social media speculation following a meeting between the Minister of Local Governance and the head of the International Organization for Migration in Libya.

Key Takeaways

GNU categorically denies resettlement plans.
Reports deemed misleading and false.
Libya's stance on illegal migration remains firm.
Commitment to collaborate with EU on immigration issues.
Focus on national sovereignty and human rights.

Tripoli, March 10 (NationPress) Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) has dismissed claims that the country intends to resettle undocumented immigrants, labeling the reports as misleading and entirely false in an official announcement.

This denial follows social media assertions about a statement made by Minister of Local Governance Badr Al-Din Al-Toumi regarding the resettlement of undocumented immigrants in Libya. These claims emerged after his meeting on Saturday in Tripoli with Nicoletta Giordano, the head of the International Organization for Migration mission in Libya, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The GNU reaffirmed Libya's firm stance against illegal migration, recalling its outright rejection of immigrant resettlement proposals during the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum held in Tripoli in July 2024.

Furthermore, Libya emphasized its dedication to working alongside the European Union and international allies to address illegal immigration, highlighting the importance of national sovereignty and human rights.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has emerged as a key departure point for African migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean to reach European territories.

Earlier in February, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah reiterated his government’s support for UN initiatives aimed at fostering stability in Libya.

Dbeibah made these comments during a meeting with Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in Tripoli, as stated by the Libyan Government.

"Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah welcomed the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Libya, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, in her inaugural official meeting after taking on her responsibilities," the statement noted.