On 8 March, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Local Government Badr al-Din al-Toumi met with the head of the IOM mission in Libya, Nicoletta Giordano, discussing migration management challenges and strategies to strengthen municipal capacity. Al-Toumi called for a collaborative effort between local institutions and international organizations to improve migration management and address public concerns. Giordano showcased IOM initiatives in Libya, focusing on stabilization efforts like disarmament, reintegration of ex-combatants, and support for migrants and municipalities. Both emphasized the value of technical communication for advancing cooperation and knowledge sharing.
In the wake of this meeting, statements about agreeing to resettlement plans were attributed to the Ministry of Local Government. This sparked widespread outrage on social media from many Libyans. In response, on 9 March the GNU denied these reports, calling them ‘misleading and baseless’ and stating that they do not support any projects to settle illegal migrants in Libya. The GNU stressed that ‘Libya’s position is firm in rejecting any resettlement projects, while remaining committed to international cooperation in accordance with the principles of sovereignty and human rights.’
On 14 March, about 80 to 120 people protested in Algeria Square in Tripoli, opposing the settlement of illegal migrants in Libya. The demonstrators carried anti-settlement signs and chanted slogans like ‘Libya for Libyans, no to settlement.’
There has also been a flare up of physical violence targeting migrants, in particular Sudanese migrants, in the western region in the wake of these rumours gaining traction.