Libyan authorities have deported more than 200 Egyptian nationals who were living in the country illegally, as part of a broader campaign to address irregular migration.
Brigadier General Mohamed Braidah, a senior official at the Anti-Illegal Migration Authority in Tripoli, confirmed that 207 Egyptians were expelled via land routes on Monday. He emphasized that the operation reflects ongoing efforts to regulate residency and combat unlawful migration, which continues to pose serious security and economic challenges for Libya.
According to Braidah, the deportation is part of a sustained plan targeting irregular migrants of multiple nationalities, not just Egyptians. He added that the Authority is stepping up surveillance and enforcement across Libya’s borders, where traffickers frequently move people into the country using desert routes.
Libya remains a major transit hub for migrants from across Africa and the Middle East, many of whom use the country as a launching point for dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to Europe. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that hundreds of thousands of migrants currently reside in Libya, with many living in precarious conditions.
Authorities say they are determined to balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations. While rights groups have raised concerns about the treatment of migrants in detention centers, officials in Tripoli insist that measures like deportation are necessary to reduce pressure on already fragile infrastructure, including healthcare, housing, and employment.
The Libyan government has also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, particularly with Egypt, Niger, and Sudan, to curb irregular migration flows. Officials stress that combating trafficking networks requires not only law enforcement but also stronger international partnerships.
