The head of the National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, participated in the work of the International Conference on Migration and Development in the Italian capital, Rome, calling for Libya’s right to obtain international support in the migration file, on the security, political and financial levels.
Dbeibeh confirmed the launch of a military operation against fuel and human smuggling networks, which is the first serious move by the Libyan authorities, and the government’s vision does not include any proposal to settle migrants in transit areas, including Libya.
He explained that after a 10-year hiatus, the first flight between Tripoli and Rome will start tomorrow, Monday, and he will work to open a line between Rome and Benghazi, appreciating the seriousness shown by the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, in the file of illegal immigration.
PM Dbeibeh called for establishing a balanced partnership with the European Union Commission in combating illegal immigration, explaining that Libya hosts nearly 2 million refugees and immigrants of Arab, African and Asian nationalities, of whom only about 9 thousand live in shelters.
He stressed the need to find joint international mechanisms to confront the migration crisis and promote development in the countries of origin, stressing Libya’s success in returning tens of thousands of refugees to their countries, and reducing their number in shelters.
The Prime Minister renewed his commitment to strengthening Libya’s role in combating this problem and achieving stability in the Mediterranean region.