The Libyan Interior Ministry, under the outgoing Government of National Unity (GNU), engaged in discussions with the European Union Mission in Libya, emphasizing their cooperation in addressing illegal immigration.
This meeting, involving Mahmoud Saeed, the Deputy Minister of Interior for General Affairs, the EU Mission’s Ambassador to Libya, and the Director of the Migration Project, also saw participation from high-level officials. These included the Deputy Minister of Health for Hospitals Affairs, the Director of the General Administration for Security Operations, the Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Head of the International Organizations Department at the Directorate of International Relations and Cooperation.
According to the Interior Ministry’s media office, the focus of the meeting was on reinforcing productive collaboration in various sectors, especially in combating illegal migration. The dialogue also touched upon the human rights considerations in managing illegal migrants, in line with Libya’s local laws and international agreements.
The discussions underscored the need for a definitive and collaborative strategy to address illegal migration at its source.
On Monday, Libya’s interim government headed by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, hosted the African International Conference on Migration in Benghazi dedicated to combating illegal migration.
Speaking at the conference, Hammad expressed growing concerns over irregular migration, noting its significant impact on local and regional economies and potential threats to international security. He pointed out the exploitation of irregular migration routes by criminals and terrorists, further complicating the migration crisis.
The conference featured participation from Libyan parliamentarians, African Parliament President Fortune Charumbira, representatives from 40 African countries, and organizations focusing on illegal migration.
In a related development, Minister of State for Illegal Migration Affairs, Fathi Al-Tebawi, Foreign Minister Abdel-Hadi Al-Hwaij, and Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry Faraj Aqeim met with a Nigerian delegation. This meeting was part of the preparations for the African conference and focused on bolstering Libya-Nigeria cooperation and coordination in the face of migration challenges.