On Sunday, Libyan military and security officials from both eastern and western Libya reached an agreement to establish a specialized research center focused on border security and counterterrorism, according to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
The agreement was finalized during a two-day coordination meeting in Tunisia, attended by officials responsible for border security, counterterrorism, and irregular migration. The discussions included participation from female officers from both the police and military, marking a notable step toward inclusive security efforts.
The newly proposed center aims to analyze security risks, develop actionable solutions, and enhance Libya’s national security strategy. The technical coordination team formulated a structural framework for the center, outlining its organizational structure and core responsibilities.
One of the participants emphasized that the center would play a key role in strengthening Libya’s border security, combating terrorism, and addressing irregular migration, providing practical recommendations to enhance national security.
As part of the initiative, UNSMIL organized a field visit to a Tunisian border crossing, facilitating the exchange of expertise and raising awareness about regional security challenges.
Ali Khalkhal, a representative from UNSMIL’s Security Institutions Division, highlighted that the center’s creation aligns with the joint coordination mechanism established by the Border Security Technical Committee during its meeting in Benghazi on December 17–18, 2024. He added that upcoming plans include establishing joint security centers and equipping them with the necessary resources to improve coordination and intelligence sharing.
The officials agreed to reconvene in southern Libya in April, where they will further discuss regional security coordination mechanisms and enhanced security cooperation.
Terrorist groups have also exploited Libya’s security vacuum, using border regions as safe havens for recruitment and operations. Libya’s security forces have struggled to contain cross-border threats, relying on international assistance and regional cooperation to address these growing risks.
Efforts to enhance border control have been a key focus in recent years, with joint security agreements between Libya and neighboring countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Chad, and Egypt. International organizations, including UNSMIL, the African Union, and the European Union, have worked alongside Libyan authorities to improve monitoring systems and intelligence-sharing frameworks.
