The United Nations has responded to accusations of its alleged involvement in a migrant resettlement plan in Libya, following a protest held on Thursday in front of the headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Tripoli, where attendees chanted slogans in favor of the expulsion of foreigners from the country.
The organization has emphasized that "none of its agencies," including UNHCR, "implements any resettlement program in Libya," as stated in a statement disseminated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on its social media. "Allegations claiming the contrary are categorically false," it stressed.
The text specifies that "UNHCR works with Libyan authorities and the international community, with full respect for Libyan sovereignty, to identify solutions outside Libya for people fleeing war, conflict, and persecution, including evacuation to third countries and voluntary return when conditions permit."
The mission has also remarked that "all Libyans have the right to access accurate information and peacefully express their views," something it considers "essential for addressing public concerns," although it recalls that "for meaningful dialogue to take place, there must be an intention from all parties to engage in good faith to achieve constructive and sustainable outcomes."
UNSMIL has warned that "UNSMIL is concerned about the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in relation to the work of the UN in Libya, which has contributed to increased tensions and incitement against national and international UN personnel," and has "strongly" condemned any "incitement to violence, threats against UN personnel, and acts of vandalism or attacks against United Nations personnel, facilities, and staff."
In the same vein, it has insisted that "there is no justification for violence and intimidation, which are not in line with Libyan culture and tradition." It has also called for "all parties to respect the inviolability of UN facilities, its personnel, properties, and assets, in line with International Law."
The mission has also expressed its recognition to the authorities in Tripoli, backed by the international community, for "their efforts to maintain public order and guarantee the safety of demonstrators, UN personnel and their facilities".
The gathering in front of the UNHCR office in the Libyan capital was organized to denounce an alleged resettlement plan for migrants in the country, with slogans such as "Libya belongs to Libyans" and demands to close the UN agency's offices.
In parallel, General Khalifa Haftar, who leads the forces loyal to the parallel authorities based in the east, has ordered the deportation of all irregular migrants in those areas, alleging that "the region faces particular challenges".
Haftar has stated that "we are not a large country. We are accepting millions and even billions of people, while the Libyan population is only eight million." "We see pressure from all directions. We see militias and instability, with the problem coming from everywhere," he indicated, according to the news portal Libya Review.
In this context, he has presented the expulsion measure as something "natural," stating that "Libya is not a place for people to come to exploit, harm or affect its citizens." "The Libyan people deserve a decent life, with the security, stability, and services they need," he stressed.
Libya remains one of the main transit corridors and departure points for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to reach Europe by sea, while a growing number of Libyans are also embarking on this route due to the prolonged political and economic crisis the country is suffering.