Libyan authorities on both sides of the political divide have strongly denied any agreement with the United States to receive deported migrants. The rejection follows recent international media reports claiming that Washington was planning to send migrants to Libya.
Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub, Director of Moral Guidance in the Libyan National Army (LNA), firmly dismissed the claims, stating there is “no coordination or agreement whatsoever” regarding the reception of deported migrants. He stressed that the LNA “will not allow any such flights through airports or border points under its control,” adding that the reports circulated on social media were “completely false and unacceptable.”
The Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) also issued a denial, saying it had no knowledge of, or involvement in, any such arrangements with the United States.
Meanwhile, Abdel-Hadi Al-Hwaij, the Foreign Minister in the Benghazi-based parliament-designated government, rejected the notion outright. He stated, “We categorically reject any agreements or understandings regarding the settlement of migrants.” Al-Hwaij reiterated Libya’s commitment to international law, human rights, and the principles of national sovereignty, warning against any attempt to politicise the migration file.
He added that the Libyan legal framework governs labour and movement within the country and emphasised that there is no legal or diplomatic basis for the claims.
Both governments stressed the need to respect Libya’s internal stability and sovereignty, especially amid ongoing challenges with migration management, political divisions, and security concerns.
The denials come amid heightened sensitivity around migration issues in North Africa, particularly as Libya remains a key transit and detention point for thousands of migrants attempting to reach Europe.
