On 13 March, PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba chaired a high-level meeting of key ministers and security directors to discuss the challenges of illegal migration, including the security and economic impacts. The meeting focused on urgent measures to secure borders, combat smuggling and human trafficking, and deport illegal migrants in coordination with the countries of origin. Dabaiba emphasized that Libya will not become a destination for illegal migration, firmly denying rumours of the government’s intention to settle migrants. He stressed that Libya will not yield to pressure or negotiate on migration. Libya rejects becoming a shelter for illegal immigrants or acting as Europe’s guardian. The security and stability of Libya is a red line. He called on the international community, especially the European Union, to take responsibility and support Libya in managing this issue.
Minister of Interior (MoI) Emad Trabelsi highlighted the ministry’s efforts in deporting illegal migrants, with 20,000 deported in 2023 and 32,000 since the beginning of 2024. He emphasized that illegal migration poses a threat to Libya’s national security and requires a decisive stance. Trabelsi highlighted the government’s consistent message during regional and international meetings about the severity of the issue and affirmed its commitment to taking necessary measures to protect the country’s security. The MoI noted the estimate of over 3 million illegal migrants in Libya as unacceptable and called for a unified national effort to address the crisis. He reiterated the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the armed forces to secure the southern borders, a key entry point for migrants, and urged destination countries, particularly the European Union, to take responsibility and support Libya seriously.
On 15 March, MoI Trabelsi chaired an emergency meeting of the High Committee on Illegal Migration and Borders. He highlighted that addressing illegal migration requires securing Libya’s southern borders and announced the readiness to form a specialized border protection force in coordination with regional security and military entities. He emphasized intensified operations to combat human trafficking and dismantle smuggling networks, aiming to enhance national security.
On 17 March, Trabelsi presided over an extensive meeting that brought together a number of ambassadors and officials of the European Union and the African Union embassies in Libya, alongside representatives from the EU Mission, the IOM and the UNHCR. Trabelsi reiterated that Libya will not bear the burdens of illegal immigration alone, signifying that the radical solution to immigration begins with securing the southern border and not only monitoring the coast. He stressed that Libya will not accept being a protective shield to others without getting the necessary support.
In this speech he said that estimates indicate that there are more than 4 million migrants within the territory of Libya, which poses a serious economic and security challenge. He called for the EU to provide practical support to Libya by strengthening the security of the southern border – including providing modern equipment and technologies to monitor illegal movements, speeding up the voluntary deportation of illegal immigrants in coordination with international organizations, and combating human smuggling.