Representatives from Libya’s military and security institutions from both the east and west, including two female officers from the police and army, reached an agreement on tangible steps to enhance border security. The officials, responsible for border security, counterterrorism, and irregular migration, have decided to establish a specialized research center dedicated to border security studies.
The agreement was reached during a two-day coordination meeting in Tunis, organized by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Members of the Joint Technical Coordination Team for Border Security developed a proposal for the new research center, outlining its structure, responsibilities, and practical strategies for addressing border-related security threats.
A participant in the meeting emphasized that the center will play a crucial role in improving border security, combating terrorism, and tackling irregular migration. “This initiative will provide actionable solutions to Libya’s border security challenges and reinforce national security,” he stated.
As part of their efforts to enhance regional security cooperation, UNSMIL facilitated a field visit for the Joint Technical Team for Counterterrorism to a Tunisian land border crossing near the Libya-Tunisia border. The visit aimed to promote knowledge exchange and increase awareness of transnational security threats.
According to Ali Khalkhal, from UNSMIL’s Security Institutions Division, the establishment of this research center is part of the broader coordination framework set by the Joint Technical Committee for Border Security during its meeting in Benghazi on December 17–18, 2024.
“The next steps will focus on the actual establishment of joint border security centers and their operational readiness,” Khalkhal stated. These centers will facilitate coordination, communication, and intelligence-sharing to strengthen Libya’s border security.
The attendees also agreed to convene again in April 2025 in southern Libya to discuss regional coordination mechanisms.
