Libyan Foreign Minister of the Parliament-designate government, Abdel-Hadi Al-Hwaij, asserted that Libya will not act as “Europe’s policeman” in handling irregular migration.
Al-Hwaij stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration through comprehensive developmental partnerships, rather than relying solely on security measures.
This came during a roundtable discussion held at Benghazi University, and organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the African Migration Studies Laboratory in Madrid. It aimed to advance the outcomes of the Benghazi Declaration on Migration.
Al-Hwaij emphasised the need to create a special development fund to support migration initiatives and proposed establishing a Euro-African employment agency. This agency, he suggested, could serve as an operational tool to effectively manage migration and employment pathways.
Al-Hwaij argued that true solutions require tackling the economic, social, and political factors driving migration, including conflict and instability. He highlighted the necessity of collaboration between countries on both sides of the Mediterranean, which he believes is mutually beneficial.
Al-Hwaij further acknowledged the agreement among African nations on the need for developmental and sustainable approaches to migration, reiterating that security-based methods have proven inadequate. He commended the Libyan General Command, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, for its critical role in securing Libya’s borders and managing migration flows.
The roundtable addressed four key themes, with attendees underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and shared strategies.
The event concluded with gratitude from participating delegations for Libya’s efforts and hospitality. Delegates agreed on the necessity of maintaining joint efforts to implement realistic and lasting solutions to manage migration effectively and reduce its impact on regional stability.
