The Minister of Interior in charge of the Libyan Government of National Unity, Imad Trabelsi, confirmed that between 70 and 80% of foreigners in Libyan territory are “illegal.”
Trabelsi's statement came ahead of an international forum in Libya on migration across the Mediterranean.
Al-Tarabulsi stressed Libya's categorical rejection of the settlement of immigrants, noting that there are about 2.5 million immigrants in the country.
He explained that illegal immigration represents a "national security issue" and that "it is time to solve this problem because Libya cannot continue to pay the price."
He pointed out that migrants do not pay electricity bills or taxes, which has turned Libya from a "transit country to a settlement country."
He added that the Libyan authorities intend to "organize foreign workers" who are a powerful force in the country, which has a population of 7 million.
Al-Tarabulsi said that with the help of the International Organization for Migration and the Voluntary Humanitarian Return Program, Libya has been able to "return 6,000 migrants" since the beginning of the year and "10,000 in 2023" according to official figures.