Libya’s Prime Minister, Osama Hammad, has delivered a strong rebuke to the European Union, accusing it of failing to take serious action to curb irregular migration and the crimes tied to it.
Speaking at the opening of the International Conference on “Transnational Crime and National Security” in Benghazi, Hammad warned that “security no longer recognizes borders,” stressing that cross-border criminal networks are exploiting migration routes for criminal and terrorist purposes.
Hammad criticised the lack of coordination between Brussels and the Libyan government, portraying it as proof of the EU’s “absence of political will” to address the crisis in a structural and lasting way. He expressed deep disappointment toward Greece and Italy, the main destinations for migrant arrivals from Libya, and accused some European elites of being influenced by criminal networks that shape political decisions.
He called for a complete overhaul of EU migration strategies, demanding concrete measures targeting individuals and entities that have turned the migration crisis into a source of profit.
According to Hammad, genuine cooperation with countries of origin and transit is essential, as migration has moved beyond a regional challenge to become a global issue requiring real coordination and not just formal statements.
These remarks came in the middle of rising diplomatic tensions. In July, the Libyan government canceled a planned visit by the interior ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta, along with the EU’s Commissioner for Migration, citing violations of Libya’s sovereign procedures by the delegation.
The Benghazi conference gathered lawmakers, ministers, senior security officials, international representatives, and academics to discuss how to address interconnected security challenges. The focus included enhancing border cooperation, dismantling organized crime networks, and reforming migration policies at national, regional, and global levels.
