Al-Koni calls on the United Nations Migration Agency to support Libya's strategy to reduce illegal immigration

Tripoli, November 27, 2023 (LANA) - Representative in the Presidential Council, Musa Al-Koni, stressed the need to unify efforts to support the national strategy to reduce illegal immigration from the south before migrants arrive in the northern regions, and stressed the necessity of creating spatial development in the source countries to reduce the desire of migrants to leave their homelands, to search for the job market outside them.

Al-Koni explained during his meeting today, Monday, with the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the United Nations Migration Agency, Othman Al-Balisi, that Libya is a transit country, and has dealt with migrant workers throughout its history without any noticeable problems, and the current conditions have changed and factors of sabotage and human trafficking have intervened, the problems of cross-border crime have made illegal immigration a burden that is difficult for Libya to deal with alone.

For his part, Al-Balisi praised Libya's efforts over the past decades, in hosting migrants, providing them with full care in shelter centers, treating them in accordance with international human rights standards, and implementing programs for their voluntary return or resettlement in destination countries.

He reviewed the agency’s vision to limit migration by establishing spatial development in source countries to qualify workers in preparation for their involvement in the countries’ labor market according to their needs in a systematic manner. He pointed out the importance of developing border posts, providing logistical capabilities that qualify them to carry out their tasks, qualifying human elements to combat crime of all kinds, and paying attention to Health for immigrants.

During the meeting, it was emphasized to unite efforts between Libya, the United Nations Migration Agency, and destination countries affected by migration to reduce and regulate it.