EU Warns of New Migration Threat Involving Libya & Belarus
Operated by Belarusian airline Belavia, the flights have triggered concern in Brussels over possible coordination with Libyan authorities in the eastern region, which is controlled by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a key ally of Russia.
'The frequency and nature of these flights raise questions about potential facilitation of irregular migration flows,' the official said, pointing to a sharp increase in arrivals to Italy and Greece from Libya.
Between January and June 2025, over 27,000 migrants reached Italy from Libya, while more than 7,000 arrived in Crete — three times higher than the same period last year.
The EU sees echoes of the 2021 migration crisis, when Belarus orchestrated migrant flows to the borders of Poland and the Baltic states. At the time, Belarus, allegedly with Russian backing, issued visas and flew in migrants from the Middle East and Africa.
Brussels now fears Moscow may be replicating that strategy via Libya to destabilise Europe by weaponising migration flows.
Meanwhile, Greek officials have voiced concern that the EU is overlooking Turkey's role in the crisis. Athens was excluded from a recent Ankara summit involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Libyan representatives, which focused on migration and energy.
Greece is alarmed by Turkey's outreach to Haftar and plans to reopen its consulate in Benghazi, seeing it as a shift in regional alliances. Ankara's push to implement a contested maritime border agreement with Libya — one that ignores Greek territorial claims — has further heightened tensions.
The EU has reaffirmed its rejection of the maritime deal, with the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas raising the issue during her January visit to Turkey. Tags: BelarusbenghazieulibyamigrationMinsk
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
5 hours ago
- Libya Review
Gunman Kills Young Man in His Car in Libyan Capital
Eyewitnesses have reported a growing wave of insecurity on Al-Sirem Street in central Tripoli, where daily incidents of kidnapping and robbery are being carried out by unidentified armed groups. These crimes are reportedly taking place amid a concerning lack of intervention by security forces. According to witnesses, the perpetrators often stop young men under the pretense of being affiliated with security agencies. They then seize victims' personal belongings and abandon them in remote areas far from their homes. In a particularly shocking incident, a young man identified as Bashar Fahema was fatally shot on Thursday night while sitting inside his vehicle on Al-Sirem Street. The attacker remains unidentified. Residents are calling for immediate action from authorities to restore order and ensure the safety of civilians in the heart of the Libyan capital. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: Armed ClashesGunmenKidnappingslibyatripoli
Libya Review
6 hours ago
- Libya Review
Egypt & Greece Call for Simultaneous Elections in Libya
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis have stressed the urgent need for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya. The call came during a phone conversation between the two ministers, as confirmed in a statement by Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussion focused on the latest developments in Libya, with both sides expressing deep concern over the ongoing political stalemate and insecurity. The ministers highlighted the importance of conducting inclusive elections without delay, underlining that simultaneous polls are essential for ensuring legitimacy and unity in the Libyan political process. Abdelatty and Gerapetritis also reiterated the need to dismantle all militias and ensure the withdrawal of foreign forces, foreign fighters, and mercenaries from Libyan territory. They described this as a fundamental step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the country. The ministers agreed that Libya's sovereignty must be respected and that a Libyan-led political solution is the only viable path forward. They emphasised their commitment to supporting the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the work of the UN Special Envoy in facilitating a consensual political roadmap. The call reflects growing regional concern over the stagnation of Libya's electoral process and the continued presence of armed groups backed by foreign powers. While diplomatic initiatives have multiplied, the timeline for elections remains uncertain due to disagreements among key Libyan institutions and actors. Egypt and Greece have consistently coordinated their positions on Libya, calling for international support to prioritise disarmament, political unification, and the removal of foreign influence from the country. Tags: Foreign ForcesGreecelibyaLibyan Elections
Libya Review
12 hours ago
- Libya Review
EU Warns of New Migration Threat Involving Libya & Belarus
The European Commission is investigating a series of unusual flights from Minsk to Benghazi, suspecting they may be linked to a new Kremlin-backed effort to fuel irregular migration into southern Europe, an EU official told Euractiv. Operated by Belarusian airline Belavia, the flights have triggered concern in Brussels over possible coordination with Libyan authorities in the eastern region, which is controlled by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a key ally of Russia. 'The frequency and nature of these flights raise questions about potential facilitation of irregular migration flows,' the official said, pointing to a sharp increase in arrivals to Italy and Greece from Libya. Between January and June 2025, over 27,000 migrants reached Italy from Libya, while more than 7,000 arrived in Crete — three times higher than the same period last year. The EU sees echoes of the 2021 migration crisis, when Belarus orchestrated migrant flows to the borders of Poland and the Baltic states. At the time, Belarus, allegedly with Russian backing, issued visas and flew in migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Brussels now fears Moscow may be replicating that strategy via Libya to destabilise Europe by weaponising migration flows. Meanwhile, Greek officials have voiced concern that the EU is overlooking Turkey's role in the crisis. Athens was excluded from a recent Ankara summit involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Libyan representatives, which focused on migration and energy. Greece is alarmed by Turkey's outreach to Haftar and plans to reopen its consulate in Benghazi, seeing it as a shift in regional alliances. Ankara's push to implement a contested maritime border agreement with Libya — one that ignores Greek territorial claims — has further heightened tensions. The EU has reaffirmed its rejection of the maritime deal, with the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas raising the issue during her January visit to Turkey. Tags: BelarusbenghazieulibyamigrationMinsk
