PM of Libya’s unity government bargains for more assistance from EU
The Prime Minster of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Al-Serraj told top European Union officials on Thursday to provide more money and other assistance to secure Tripoli’s help in curbing the flow of African migrants to Europe, Reuters reported.
According to the report, Al-Serraj was in Brussels on the eve of an EU leaders’ meeting in Malta where they will throw political weight behind new efforts to curtail the arrival of refugees and immigrants from Africa, through Libya to Italy.
“The EU is stepping up the training of Tripoli’s coast guard and offering more money and aid to Libya and other African countries to seal their borders so migrants seeking better lives in Europe do not get through.” Reuters wrote.
The European Union announced on Monday that it had started training the second group of Libyan coastguards in the Greek island, Crete, as pat of the Operation Sophia Programme.
But Al-Serraj, in joint statements with European Council President Donald Tusk who will chair the EU summit in Malta on Friday, said this was not enough, indicated Reuters.
“We hope that the EU mechanisms to help Libya will be more practical. We are not going to mention the amount of money that … dedicated to Libya for this help because they are very humble, very small amounts,” Al-Serraj was cited as saying.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
- New evidence strengthens case against Gaddafi-era crimes - November 20, 2024
- Mystery man poses as presidential envoy in Libya - November 20, 2024
- Iran denounces new UK and EU sanctions - November 20, 2024