UN condemns storming of humanitarian facility in Libya

The United Nations has condemned what it called “deeply aggressive acts” after people stormed a humanitarian service centre in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, where migrants were present.

Videos circulating on social media showed people forcing their way into the premises, ransacking furniture and driving out the occupants. The UN did not identify the agency involved, but the International Organisation for Migration said the incident occurred at a service centre it manages in Tripoli.

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deeply aggressive acts

“The United Nations in Libya strongly condemns the repeated incidents that occurred this morning on the premises of the service centre managed by one of the UN agencies in Tripoli,” the IOM said in a statement issued late Monday. It said the incidents involved attacks against staff and people accessing humanitarian services.

Libyan authorities have not responded publicly. The UN said, however, that it acknowledged authorities had taken action and were investigating the circumstances of what it described as “deeply aggressive acts.” It added that “such incidents must not be repeated.”

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The United Nations in Libya strongly condemns the repeated incidents that occurred this morning on the premises of the service centre managed by one of the UN agencies in Tripoli.

The issue of migrants, including allegations that there are plans to settle them permanently in Libya, has fueled heated debate in the North African country in recent months. Protesters have repeatedly gathered outside UN agency offices, including those of the IOM and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, blocking entrances and demanding that the offices close and their staff leave.

The UN called for “reliable and verified information” to be used in public discussion and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with Libyan authorities and local communities. Libya has faced instability and division between rival governments since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, while smugglers and traffickers have exploited the turmoil to operate migrant routes toward Europe by sea.

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such incidents must not be repeated.