Hundreds protest in Libya over migrant resettlement fears

TRIPOLI, Libya (MNTV) — Hundreds of Libyans gathered in the capital Tripoli to protest against irregular migration and alleged plans to resettle undocumented migrants in the country, amid growing public debate over migration policies and Libya’s role as a transit hub for people seeking to reach Europe.

The demonstrations took place outside offices of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and expanded to other locations in western Tripoli, where protesters demanded the closure of UN refugee facilities and called for the departure of organizations they accused of encouraging the continued presence of undocumented migrants in Libya.

Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators entering a United Nations mission office in the Janzour district west of the capital. Other protesters blocked access to a UNHCR office in the Sarraj area by piling sand and debris at its entrances.

Participants carried banners reading “Libya belongs to Libyans,” “Our love for our country is not racism,” and “Libya is not the world’s garbage bin,” reflecting growing public frustration over migration pressures in a country already struggling with political divisions and economic challenges.

The protests were triggered by media reports claiming that international organizations were considering plans to resettle undocumented migrants inside Libya. No official Libyan authority or United Nations agency has confirmed the reports.

Nevertheless, the issue has generated strong reactions across Libya’s political spectrum.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli reiterated its rejection of any proposal to permanently settle irregular migrants in the country. 

Similar statements were issued by senior Libyan officials, including High Council of State President Mohamed Takala, Presidential Council member Abdullah Al-Lafi and Administrative Control Authority chief Abdullah Qaderbouh.

The Al-Sarraj Social Council, a local civil society organization, backed the demonstrations and called for the removal of UNHCR operations from Libya. The group also urged authorities to intensify efforts to deport undocumented migrants and strengthen border controls.

Tensions have risen further following a series of security measures announced by local authorities. 

On Tuesday, Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of eastern Libyan forces, ordered security agencies to end what he described as the “illegal presence” of undocumented migrants. 

A day later, officials in the western coastal city of Zuwara imposed a temporary nighttime curfew on foreign residents, citing security concerns.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) responded by warning against what it described as a growing wave of misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric targeting migrants and refugees.

In a statement issued earlier this week, the mission said hostile narratives risk increasing discrimination, social tensions and violence while undermining the dignity and security of vulnerable communities.

Libya remains one of the main departure points for migrants and refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe. 

According to estimates by the International Organization for Migration, approximately 900,000 migrants and refugees were living in Libya as of mid-2024, including large numbers of Sudanese who fled the ongoing conflict in their country.

Migration routes are particularly active along Libya’s northwestern coastline, including the cities of Sabratha, Zuwara and Qarabulli, where trafficking networks continue to exploit the country’s prolonged political instability and fragmented security environment.

The latest demonstrations underscore the increasingly sensitive nature of migration in Libya, where economic pressures, security concerns and political divisions continue to shape public attitudes toward one of the region’s most complex humanitarian challenges.