World Immigration News

(Reuters)Libyans block off UN refugee office in protest against migrants

Release Date: 2026-06-05
Media: Reuters
Summary: Hundreds of Libyans protested outside the UNHCR office in Tripoli on June 4, blocking the entrance and demanding the removal of migrants from Libya. Demonstrators chanted anti-migrant slogans such as “Libya only for Libyans” and accused migrants of contributing to crime, social disorder, and economic difficulties. The protest was the largest in a series of recent demonstrations reflecting growing public frustration over migration in the country.

Since the 2011 uprising, Libya has become a major transit route for migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa seeking to reach Europe. At the same time, many migrants remain in Libya to work in sectors such as construction and cleaning. According to the United Nations, more than 900,000 migrants currently live in Libya, a country with a population of around seven million.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) affirmed the right to peaceful protest but condemned any incitement to violence against UN personnel or facilities. The UN also stressed that there is no UN program to permanently resettle migrants in Libya. Instead, UNHCR focuses on refugee protection through voluntary return programs, evacuations, and resettlement to third countries.

Libya’s acting foreign minister, Taher al-Baour, likewise denied the existence of any migrant settlement project, stating that Libya lacks the capacity to absorb such large numbers of migrants. However, he also argued that Libya’s political instability and security challenges are major factors behind the migration issue and warned against blaming migrants alone for the country’s problems. The protest highlights rising anti-immigrant sentiment amid Libya’s prolonged political and economic difficulties.
Tags: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

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