On 2 December, Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi held a press conference in Tripoli with the attendance of several international ambassadors including of Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Spain, Germany, Bangladesh, Somalia, and the European Union, as well as the chargés d’affaires of the embassies of Egypt, Niger, and Qatar.
Trabelsi explained that the Ministry of the Interior had launched the National Programme for the Deportation of Illegal Immigrants and that from July 2024 to September 2025, thousands of immigrants – especially from Egypt, Chad, Nigeria, and Bangladesh – have been deported via flights, in accordance with legal procedures and humanitarian standards, in coordination with the embassies of the countries concerned. He also stressed that no Sudanese immigrants are being deported illegally or forcibly returned. Trabelsi added that work continues throughout December to repatriate thousands more migrants from Chad, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, and Mali, prioritizing women and children as the most vulnerable groups.
He stressed that the settlement of migrants in Libya is categorically rejected, adding that the repatriation programme aims to enhance national security and border control and prevent any attempts to settle illegal migrants within Libya. It also aims to promote international cooperation based on the principle of burden-sharing to support national efforts in managing migration from both a security and humanitarian perspective.
Trabelsi claimed that the number of illegal immigrants in Libya is around three million, while European Union statistics estimate the number at only 1.5 million. He also underlined the economic cost of migration to Libya, noting that according to MoI estimates, migrants send USD 600 million to their families every month, which is more than USD 7 billion a year. Trabelsi claimed that this money goes to the black market, which hurts the national economy and is considered a drain on oil revenues and the Central Bank of Libya’s reserves.
Trabelsi concluded by saying that, ‘It is important that there be solidarity and support from everyone for the efforts of the Government of National Unity and the Ministry of Interior, so that we can raise the pace of deportation to sixty thousand migrants per month.’ He stressed that these efforts are one of the most important measures to confront attempts at resettlement, and it is the duty of the Libyan people to support these national steps to protect the country’s security and stability.
According to the MoI, the French Ambassador Thierry Vallat indicated French support for the MoI’s anti-migration efforts, stressing that illegal immigration is an international issue that starts from the country of origin and extends to Libya, then to EU countries. EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando was quoted as saying that the EU supports the national efforts of the Government of the National Unity and the Ministry of the Interior in addressing the illegal immigration file, and seeks to provide support to the state of Libya in strengthening the security of its land and sea borders, contributing to the fight against illegal immigration and cross-border crime.
In the days following this press conference, the MoI has reported several deportations via Mitiga airport including Syrian, Nigerian and Nigerien migrants.