Tripoli: The Minister of Interior of the Government of National Unity, Major General Imad al-Tarabulsi, has firmly stated that Libya will not serve as a country for settling migrants, rejecting any proposals aimed at establishing projects for migrant settlement within its borders.
According to Libyan News Agency, the declaration was made during a comprehensive meeting attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Libya and representatives from Italy, Britain, Malta, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and the Charg© d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan. The meeting also included senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, highlighting the collaborative approach Libya seeks in addressing the migration issue.
Al-Tarabulsi emphasized Libya’s intention to work with international partners to facilitate the dignified, voluntary return of migrants. He underscored the importance of regulating the Libyan labor market through legal procedures, mentioning recent initiatives such as the granting of trial residency permits to workers in a bid to reduce chaos in the labor sector and establish legal residency statuses.
The Minister pointed out that field surveys conducted by the Ministry have identified numerous migrants stranded in Libya who wish to return to their home countries. He called for enhanced coordination with these countries and pertinent international organizations to assist in this process.
Al-Tarabulsi also highlighted the Ministry’s openness to collaboration in training and rehabilitating security and police personnel handling illegal immigration, ensuring adherence to human rights and protection of human dignity. The meeting further addressed the voluntary return of illegal migrants and the need for joint efforts between Libya and its international partners to tackle the migration challenge, which has strained Libya’s security, economic, and service sectors.
Concluding the meeting, the Minister appealed for more significant involvement from the international community, particularly the European Union, in supporting efforts for voluntary repatriation and legally regulating migration, while safeguarding Libya’s national sovereignty and regional security and stability.