On 30 May, the al-Serraj Social Council urged residents of the al-Serraj area (in western Tripoli) and all Libyans to join a large-scale protest on 4 June in front of the UNHCR headquarters (located in al-Serraj), accusing the UN refugee agency of fuelling illegal immigration and undermining national security. The council declared the UNHCR’s presence in Libyan territory ‘illegitimate and illegal,’ describing its complete expulsion from the country as a ‘national duty.’
It warned that ‘the issue of illegal immigration has spiralled out of control and now threatens the security of our society, the stability of the nation, and the future of our children.’ The council emphasized that its demands apply to the entire country, arguing that the migration crisis and its repercussions lie at the root of current societal tensions, suffering, and widespread anxiety.
On 31 May, the al-Serraj Social Council called on shop owners, market vendors, pharmacies, and all commercial establishments to clarify any arrangements or programmes related to providing services to refugee card holders within the area.
On 1 June, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement noting it was following online concerns about the increased flow of illegal migrants in Libya and the negative security, economic, social and health repercussions. It reiterated that the GNU’s position is opposed to the resettlement of migrants and that citizens have the right to express their opinions. It also stressed the need to ‘respect the sanctity of diplomatic missions and the safety of their staff’ and for people to express opinions peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
According to Libyan media reports, the UNHCR has denied ‘resettling migrants’ in Libya, saying that it ‘helps those fleeing wars to continue their lives outside Libya, whether through voluntary return, resettlement in a third country, or humanitarian pathways abroad.’
The GNU Ministry of Labor and Rehabilitation entered the fray, stating that its jurisdiction is limited to regulating and monitoring foreign workers who entered the country legally, while illegal immigration files are the responsibility of the security services. The ministry responded to what it described as ‘allegations of settlement,’ or the allocation of housing for immigrants, saying that these are ‘completely baseless claims that have no legal or factual basis.’