Libya calls for UNSMIL support on migrants’ voluntary return program

On Wednesday, 5th March 2025, Libyan Interior Minister Emad al-Tarabelsi called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to help the country and facilitate the voluntary departure of migrants from Libya to their home countries.

This came during a meeting the Libyan official held Wednesday with Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya and head of UNSMIL

The meeting discussed a range of security issues and reviewed the progress of the Ministry of Interior’s security plans and ongoing efforts to stabilize the country.

Al-Tarabelsi underlined to his interlocuter the negative impact of illegal migration on Libya and other Mediterranean nations, stressing the critical role UNSMIL could play in supporting Libya’s voluntary return program for migrants, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Interior Minister pointed out that many migrants, primarily from African nations, risk crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe due to the ongoing instability in Libya since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

The International Organization for Migration has reported that 4,204 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya this year alone, while 80 have died attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean route. Al-Tarabelsi warned that without sufficient international assistance, Libya may resort to “forced deportation of illegal migrants,” highlighting the urgency of addressing the migration crisis in the region.