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Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya detains 1,500 undocumented migrant workers in raid near Tripoli
TRIPOLI: Libyan authorities detained on Saturday some 1,500 undocumented migrant workers in a raid on a neighborhood housing them east of the capital Tripoli, an AFP reporter saw. 'Saturday's inspections uncovered housing units where undocumented foreign workers were living,' Libyan labor minister Ali Al-Abed, who was present during the raid, told reporters. 'These workers, of various nationalities, had no residency permits, no official passports, and not even health records.' Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising. The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east. With Italy some 300 kilometers (186 miles) away, Libya has become a key launchpad for tens of thousands of migrants who risk their lives at sea trying to reach Europe. The area targeted in the sweep east of Tripoli housed makeshift encampments surrounded by high walls and a large gate. Hundreds of migrants — mostly Egyptians and sub-Saharan Africans — were said to have lived there. Inside the compound, an AFP journalist saw a small grocery store, a butcher shop and vegetable vendors. The labor minister said the site had 'unregulated housing that fails to meet basic requirements for decent accommodation, health and workplace safety.' The detained migrant workers will be 'transferred to centers run by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Authority, and legal proceedings will be initiated against them according to national regulations,' Abed said. It remained unclear whether the migrants would be immediately deported. Earlier this month, a European Union commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African country. Migrants intercepted by Libyan authorities, including in international waters before reaching the Italian coast, are forcibly returned to Libya and held in detention under harsh conditions frequently condemned by the United Nations.
France 24
21-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
On July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African country. Their visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognised Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. They then travelled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct contact. Almost immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a "flagrant breach of diplomatic norms", ordering the visiting dignitaries to leave. In Brussels, the European Commission admitted a "protocol issue". Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport "was a calculated move". Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order "to generate de facto European recognition", and thus "broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader". Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an option. 'Punish Athens' The complex situation in Libya has required unusual diplomacy. European governments recognise and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar's military forces. In their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military officials. But once at the Benghazi airport, they saw "there were people there that we had not agreed to meet", a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity. "We had to fly back," the official said, adding that "of course" it was linked to recognition of the eastern government. Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe "it was a premeditated incident". But "the question does present itself as to why" ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said. "We can't completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation," Gazzini added. Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the target. On July 6, two days before the axed visit, "the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives", Harchaoui said. Despite Haftar's personal involvement, the July 6 visit "had yielded nothing", added the expert. Then, on July 8, "a Greek representative -- this time as part of an EU delegation -- wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing", he said. This was "an affront in Benghazi's view", Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to "punish Athens". Legitimacy To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to "underestimate" the Haftars' foreign policy. "The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor" in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya's eastern coast, said Harchaoui. The message delivered at the Benghazi airport "is clear: take the eastern faction seriously", he added. Harchaoui said that the Haftars, already "rich in cash and strong" in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to "consolidate their legitimacy". Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia's Vladimir Putin. And Haftar's son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkey, Italy and Niger. Even Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, "is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects", said Megerisi. He added that Turkey also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
Libya's eastern authorities recently expelled a senior European delegation in a move analysts say was meant to send a message: the unrecognised administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be ignored. On July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African country. Their visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognised Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. They then travelled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct contact. Almost immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a "flagrant breach of diplomatic norms", ordering the visiting dignitaries to leave. In Brussels, the European Commission admitted a "protocol issue". Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport "was a calculated move". Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order "to generate de facto European recognition", and thus "broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader". Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an option. - 'Punish Athens' - The complex situation in Libya has required unusual diplomacy. European governments recognise and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar's military forces. In their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military officials. But once at the Benghazi airport, they saw "there were people there that we had not agreed to meet", a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity. "We had to fly back," the official said, adding that "of course" it was linked to recognition of the eastern government. Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe "it was a premeditated incident". But "the question does present itself as to why" ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said. "We can't completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation," Gazzini added. Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the target. On July 6, two days before the axed visit, "the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives", Harchaoui said. Despite Haftar's personal involvement, the July 6 visit "had yielded nothing", added the expert. Then, on July 8, "a Greek representative -- this time as part of an EU delegation -- wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing", he said. This was "an affront in Benghazi's view", Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to "punish Athens". - Legitimacy - To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to "underestimate" the Haftars' foreign policy. "The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor" in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya's eastern coast, said Harchaoui. The message delivered at the Benghazi airport "is clear: take the eastern faction seriously", he added. Harchaoui said that the Haftars, already "rich in cash and strong" in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to "consolidate their legitimacy". Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia's Vladimir Putin. And Haftar's son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkey, Italy and Niger. Even Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, "is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects", said Megerisi. He added that Turkey also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal. bur-iba/ami/smw/jsa/tc
Arab News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
TUNIS: Libya's eastern authorities recently expelled a senior European delegation in a move analysts say was meant to send a message: the unrecognized administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognized Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid then traveled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a 'flagrant breach of diplomatic norms,' ordering the visiting dignitaries to Brussels, the European Commission admitted a 'protocol issue.'Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport 'was a calculated move.'Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order 'to generate de facto European recognition,' and thus 'broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader.'Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an complex situation in Libya has required unusual governments recognize and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar's military their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military once at the Benghazi airport, they saw 'there were people there that we had not agreed to meet,' a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity.'We had to fly back,' the official said, adding that 'of course' it was linked to recognition of the eastern Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe 'it was a premeditated incident.'But 'the question does present itself as to why' ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said.'We can't completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation,' Gazzini expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the July 6, two days before the axed visit, 'the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives,' Harchaoui Haftar's personal involvement, the July 6 visit 'had yielded nothing,' added the on July 8, 'a Greek representative – this time as part of an EU delegation – wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing,' he was 'an affront in Benghazi's view,' Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to 'punish Athens.'To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to 'underestimate' the Haftars' foreign policy.'The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor' in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya's eastern coast, said message delivered at the Benghazi airport 'is clear: take the eastern faction seriously,' he said that the Haftars, already 'rich in cash and strong' in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to 'consolidate their legitimacy.'Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia's Vladimir Haftar's son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkiye, Italy and Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, 'is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects,' said added that Turkiye also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal.
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UN calls for 'immediate deescalation' in Libyan capital - Region
The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilised in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence. In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it. In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli". It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes". It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence. Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said. "Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said. Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising. The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognised government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east. In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control. Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force. "Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
