Libya Rejects Migrant Resettlement After UNHCR Entrance Blocked

Libya's acting Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour has firmly reiterated the Tripoli government's stance against any migrant resettlement projects within the country. His comments came after approximately 1,500 demonstrators, including active NGO participants, blocked the entrance to the UNHCR headquarters in Tripoli's Sirraj district.

The demonstration appears to be capitalizing on rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Libya, a situation mirrored in the U.S. and Europe, where migrants are often used as a focal point for broader grievances. Speaking to Arabic-language media, Al-Baour emphasized that Libya will not accept or discuss any migrant resettlement initiatives, asserting that such decisions are sovereign and cannot be imposed by organizations like the UNHCR.

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He said migrant resettlement is a sovereign decision, and no organisation (meaning the UNHCR) can force Libya to do so.

Al-Baour stressed Libya's inability to shoulder the financial burden associated with managing large numbers of illegal migrants, estimating annual costs in the billions of dollars for transit migration. This highlights the economic pressures Libya faces in managing its borders and migrant populations.

Despite government pronouncements, public trust in the Tripoli administration remains low. Many Libyans observe a significant increase in illegal migrants but see minimal results from announced voluntary repatriation efforts. This leads to a widespread belief that the government lacks the power to resist potential external pressures, such as those from the EU, to settle migrants and refugees, thereby shifting Europe's migration challenges onto Libya.

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He stressed that Libya is unable to bear the financial burden of dealing with such large numbers of illegal migrants.