Libyan protesters storm UN mission headquarters over 'migrant resettlement' reports

Libyan protesters on Thursday stormed a UN mission office west of the capital, Tripoli, over reports of migrant resettlement in the country.

Videos circulated by activists on social media showed protesters entering the UN mission's headquarters in Tripoli's Janzour area.

Demonstrators also blocked access to the office of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in the Sarraj district by piling mounds of sand at its entrances, according to footage shared online.

In a statement, Al-Sarraj Social Council, a non-governmental organisation, called for the UNHCR’s departure from the country and an end to what it described as its support for “irregular migrants".

It also called for backing Libyan government efforts to deport "infiltrators” from Libya.

Unconfirmed reports

The protest broke out in the wake of media reports about plans by UN agencies to resettle undocumented migrants in Libya.

These reports have not yet been confirmed by any official Libyan or UN body.

On Monday, the Libyan Foreign Ministry of the Tripoli-based government reiterated its rejection of migrant resettlement in the country.

Head of Libya’s High Council of State, Mohamed Takala, Presidency Council member Abdullah al-Lafi, and head of the Administrative Control Authority, Abdullah Qaderbouh, also rejected the resettlement of irregular migrants in the country.

On Tuesday, the UN mission in Libya expressed its concern over what it called “the resurgence of misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric” against migrants.

Fuelling tension

“Such narratives risk fuelling tension, mistrust, discrimination, and violence, impacting the dignity, security, and daily lives of people across Libya,” it added.

On Tuesday, Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of East Libya-based forces, ordered security agencies to end “the illegal presence” of irregular migrants on Libyan territory.

On Wednesday, local authorities in the western city of Zuwara announced a temporary night curfew on foreign residents “to enhance security and public safety.”

Irregular migration is active in northwestern Libya, along the Mediterranean coast, particularly in the cities of Qarabulli, Sabratha, and Zuwara, with groups exploiting the country's political divisions and security chaos.