TRIPOLI: Libya repatriated Tuesday 369 irregular migrants to their home countries Nigeria and Mali, including more than one hundred women and children, an official told AFP.
Mohammed Baredaa, head of the Libyan interior ministry organization tasked with halting irregular migration, said two repatriations flights took place transporting 204 Nigerians and 165 Malians.
Nine babies, 18 minors, and 108 women were among the Nigerian irregular migrants, said Baredaa.
He said that the flights were carried out “in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).”
The UN agency provides free return flights to migrants and help reintegrating them into their home countries with its “voluntary humanitarian return program.”
But some migrants told AFP on Tuesday that they were being forcibly deported.
Libyan authorities “came at night and broke down the door,” said Hakim, 59, a Nigerian who has lived in Libya for 25 years who declined to give his surname.
He said they confiscated his passport before detaining him and his wife prior to repatriation.
Libya is still struggling to recover from years of war and chaos after the 2011 NATO-backed overthrow of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Smugglers and human traffickers have taken advantage of the climate of instability that has dominated the vast country since.
Libya has been criticized over the treatment of migrant and refugees, with accusations from rights groups ranging from extortion to slavery.
Situated about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Italy, it is a key departure point for migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan African countries, risking perilous Mediterranean Sea journeys to seek better lives in Europe.
But with mounting efforts by Libya and the European Union to curb irregular migration, many have found themselves stranded in Libya.
Earlier this month, Libyan authorities said up to four in five foreigners in the North African country were undocumented.
“It’s time to resolve this problem,” Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi had said at the time, adding that Libya has turned from a “transit country to a country of settlement” — something he deemed “unacceptable.”
Libya repatriates 369 Nigeria and Mali migrants
https://arab.news/yqquq
Libya repatriates 369 Nigeria and Mali migrants
- Nine babies, 18 minors, and 108 women were among the Nigerian irregular migrants, said Baredaa
- Libya has been criticized over the treatment of migrant and refugees, with accusations from rights groups ranging from extortion to slavery
Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam says he will not allow anyone to drag the country into new conflicts
- Salam said Hezbollah can threaten to become further involved between Iran, Israel and the US, but the Lebanese government has full control
DUBAI: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon has had enough ventures in the past and that he would not allow anyone to drag the country into new conflicts.
Speaking at the World Governments Summit on Tuesday, Salam said Lebanon has been involved in the war on Gaza over the last couple of years, and the damage it has cost them has been massive.
Salam said Hezbollah can threaten to become further involved between Iran, Israel and the US, but the Lebanese government has full control over the southern region and will not allow further involvement.
“For the first time since 1996, the Lebanese government through the Lebanese Armed Forces … has full control over the south of the country,” he said.
“No one is ready to involve the country in further adventures which could cost us more and will not engage in further ventures and conflicts,” he added.
“We are aware that we are in one of the most tense regions in the world. We need to fortify ourselves by working on restoring the decision on peace and war in Lebanon,” he added.
Salam said Lebanon’s goal was to reform its sovereignty and attract global investment.
“People only focus on reforms in financial institutions, but reforms are much wider than that for my government, which of course means financial reform, but administrative reforms are also important and needed,” he added.
Salam said that attracting investment requires achieving a sense of security in the country, not only for the Lebanese people but for the world.
“Reform and sovereignty go hand in hand. We need to restore the Lebanese state and the confidence in our people,” he explained.
Salam emphasized his country’s position in achieving judicial, security and financial reforms and said he will not allow anyone to do their work for them.
“All we want from our brothers here is to support our journey, but not take our place or play our role,” he said, referring to countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The minister said there would be a conference soon to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, and he invited all Arab leaders to participate in this event, adding that it was a way to enhance Lebanon’s security.
