Libyan Border Patrol units have apprehended 58 undocumented migrants of Nigerien and Chadian nationality and transferred them to the Al-Asa Detention Centre, according to the General Directorate of Security Operations.
The arrests were made on Saturday as part of ongoing security operations carried out by the Joint Security Room. The Law Enforcement Administration, under the General Directorate, stated on its official Facebook page that the migrants were intercepted in various remote areas, including the valleys of Souf Al-Jin, Nesma, and Marsit, along with several other checkpoints.
Authorities confirmed that the operation falls within the broader efforts of the Joint Security Room to combat illegal migration and reinforce security and stability across the region.
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.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
