Tripoli, Deputy President of Presidency Council Musa Al Koni has apologized, on behalf of the Council and the Libyan people for treatment of African migrants, as a result of the stampede as they attempted to flee the concentration camp in Tripoli on Friday, describing them as guests of Libya and passersby who need to be respected and protected.
In a press conference, during a visit to the Ain Zara migrants’ camp flanked with Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Directorates Affairs, the Mayor of Ain Zara and Deputy Chairman of Anti-illegal migration Body, Al Koni explained what he agreed on with the Head of GNU Government and the Interior Ministry, with an emphasis of ending the suffering of the migrants, evacuation of families from the camp, treatment of the wounded and return of owners of professions to previous jobs with their employers.
Al Koni revealed that he has contacted the UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, which vowed to offer them green cards to countries ready to host them, and the desire by some embassies and consulates to help their nationals return homeland for those wishing to do so.
Al Koni called on migrants who left the camp not to panic, and to seek treatment at healthcare centres, and advice at IMO and their relevant diplomatic missions.
He paid tribute to efforts of those in charge of the Ain Zara camp, for the services they rendered to the migrants including housing food and medical treatment, and the shelter offered to those who were looking for their relatives lost as they left the camp.
Al Koni also called of the EU to shoulder their moral responsibilities, by refraining from returning migrants from the Sea to Libya, saying that curbing migration starts at Libyan southern borders not in the Sea. He stressed need to assist Libya to set up a ‘desert border guard’, and to provide it with all logistical capabilities, to fulfill its mission, and he demanded that they also assist countries of origin; by establishing development projects that can curb migration towards the north, which consequences Libya is bearing the brunt of.
Source: Libyan News Agency