Italy gives Libya 35 million euros to secure southern borders

BY Libyan Express Dec 10, 2017 - 13:32

Italian Minister of Interior Marco Minniti and Al-Sirraj in a meeting in Tripoli. (Photo: GNA Media Office)

The Italian Minister of Interior Marco Minniti revealed on Saturday that European countries will provide Libya with 35 million euros next week to support southern borders’ security.

The vast southern borders of Libya are used as a crossing point for illegal immigrants desperate to reach Europe, due to poor security conditions in the region.

During a meeting on Saturday in the Libyan capital Tripoli, the Libyan UN-backed Prime Minister, Fayez Al-Serraj, told Minniti that despite successes achieved in the immigration file, the number of illegal immigrants outside shelters remains large.

“We need more cooperation, particularly in securing the southern Libyan borders through which these immigrants flow.” He explained.

According to a statement by the media office of Al-Serraj, Minniti praised efforts of the Libyan Coast Guard to rescue illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean.

The number of immigrants rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard this year is around 80,000, the statement said.

Al-Serraj also stressed the need to focus more on the pursuit of trafficking networks in Libya, Africa and Europe.

“It was agreed to establish a joint chamber to combat smugglers and traffickers, consisting of representatives of Coast Guards, illegal immigration agencies, Attorneys General, and Intelligence Services of both countries,” the statement revealed.

Al-Serraj announced on Friday that both the United States and Germany agree to support Libya to secure its southern borders, in order to stop illegal immigration. He also confirmed that his recent talks with Washington and Berlin were “very productive and positive.”

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