French Ambassador to Libya, Mostafa Mihraje stressed his commitment to addressing illegal migration, through international standards-compliant programs. This includes the development of governance, and the protection of migrants in accordance with international standards.
This announcement was made following his meeting with the Acting Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya, Tauhid Pasha.
The IOM stated that it had agreed on supporting future cooperation, with a focus on the effective management of labour migration, and the use of data to enhance migration as a means of livelihood.
Official European data showed a 61% increase in the detection of migration activities in the Mediterranean in the first 11 months of 2023, compared to 2022. More than 152,200 detection operations were reported, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
In December, the European Parliament and EU member states reached a wide-ranging agreement on reforming the migration and asylum system, concluding lengthy negotiations. This reform, comprising a series of texts, includes enhanced monitoring of migrant arrivals to the EU, the establishment of closed centers near borders for the quicker return of rejected asylum seekers, and a mandatory solidarity mechanism among member states to assist countries facing significant pressures, as reported by the news agency AFP.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.