Greece Suspends Asylum Process for Migrants from Libya
Speaking before the Greek Parliament, Mitsotakis stated that Greece is 'closing the route' to the country, warning that 'any migrant entering illegally will be arrested and detained,' according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Haftar Refuses to Meet Interior Ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta
This move comes just a day after the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, canceled a scheduled visit by a European delegation to Benghazi. The delegation included high-ranking officials, such as the European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, along with the interior ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta.
According to the Greek news outlet Proto Thema, the delegation's aircraft landed on schedule at Benina International Airport in Benghazi. However, members of the delegation were informed upon arrival that Haftar refused to meet them privately, insisting that any meeting must include the Libyan government appointed by the House of Representatives, headed by Prime Minister Osama Hammad.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis described the incident as 'unprecedented,' saying it reflected the Eastern Libyan authorities' clear stance on the migration issue.
Meanwhile, in Tripoli, the European delegation held talks on Tuesday with the Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, Acting Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi, and Labour and Rehabilitation Minister Ali Al-Abed. Discussions focused on addressing irregular migration and mechanisms to halt migrant flows from Libyan territory.
Previously, the government appointed by the House of Representatives accused the European delegation of 'grossly violating diplomatic protocols and international conventions' and failing to respect Libya's national sovereignty.
Earlier this week, the same government ordered all foreign delegations and diplomatic missions to refrain from visiting Libya or traveling within its territory without prior authorization. Tags: benghazieuGreecelibyamigrants
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
4 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libya's Afriqiyah Airways Faces Bankruptcy
Libya's national airline, Afriqiyah Airways, is facing an unprecedented crisis that has pushed it to the brink of bankruptcy. The airline is grappling with severe financial mismanagement, operational paralysis, and escalating employee protests, all of which threaten to shut it down entirely. As of July 2025, nearly all of Afriqiyah Airways' fleet remains grounded. Only two Boeing 737 aircraft are still operating, both plagued by technical issues due to unpaid insurance premiums and poor maintenance. The airline's inability to meet basic operational costs reflects its deepening financial crisis, which has been worsened by allegations of corruption and misuse of funds within its leadership. The crisis escalated sharply on July 6, 2025, when hundreds of employees, supported by union leaders, organized a peaceful protest in Tripoli demanding the immediate dismissal of the airline's board of directors. Workers accuse the leadership of administrative corruption, reckless financial decisions, and secret attempts to sell company assets without transparency. Among the most serious allegations is the leasing of an unqualified Jordanian aircraft for $1.6 million and the questionable misallocation of $21 million received from Turkish Airlines, reportedly used for unauthorized purposes outside of agreed maintenance programs. Union leaders have called for a full independent investigation into these financial violations. They have appealed directly to Libya's Prime Minister and the Minister of Transportation, demanding the dissolution of Afriqiyah Airways' holding company and its transfer to direct government oversight to restore accountability and prevent the airline's collapse. The unions warn that the airline's downfall would not only impact its employees—over 1,600 Libyan families depend on it—but would also deal a devastating blow to Libya's already fragile aviation and tourism sectors. Most of Afriqiyah's flights have already been canceled or indefinitely suspended, damaging its reputation and leaving passengers stranded. The broader impact could destabilize Libya's connectivity with regional and international markets, further weakening its economy. The collapse of Afriqiyah Airways would leave Libya without a functional national carrier, widening the gap in North Africa's aviation market. The airline's crisis reflects larger systemic issues in Libya's state-owned enterprises, which have long suffered from corruption, inefficiency, and political instability. The coming weeks will be critical. Without decisive government action—through leadership changes, financial restructuring, and strict oversight—Afriqiyah Airways is likely to slide into insolvency, leaving Libya's aviation industry and economy facing long-term damage. Tags: Afriqiyah AirwaysBankruptcyFinancial Crisislibya
Libya Review
7 hours ago
- Libya Review
ICC Investigates Death of Anti-Government Activist in Tripoli
The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed it is closely monitoring the case of Libyan activist Abdul Moneim Al-Mariami, who died recently under suspicious circumstances while in custody. The office reiterated its commitment to ending impunity for crimes committed in Libyan detention centres. In a statement to Arabi21, the Prosecutor's Office stressed that the ICC is following developments related to Al-Mariami's death as part of its broader investigation into human rights violations in Libya's prisons and detention facilities. While declining to comment on specific details, the ICC said its silence regarding ongoing investigations or potential charges is essential to maintaining the integrity of the legal process and ensuring the safety of victims, witnesses, and others involved with the Court. The ICC's response comes amid mounting domestic and international outrage following Al-Mariami's death. Calls have intensified for a thorough and transparent investigation, with human rights groups and civil society activists demanding accountability for those involved. Al-Mariami, a vocal critic of Libya's interim government and an outspoken advocate for the release of his uncle, Abu Agila Masud—who is detained in the US over the 1988 Lockerbie bombing—was reported to have died after sustaining injuries in a detention facility run by Libya's Internal Security Agency in Tripoli. His case has reignited fears over the treatment of detainees and the prevalence of arbitrary arrests in Libya. The incident has also fuelled broader concerns regarding the shrinking space for civil activism and freedom of expression in the country. The ICC reiterated its ongoing commitment to addressing serious human rights abuses in Libya and emphasised that justice for victims remains a top priority. Tags: Abdul Moneim Al-Mariamiicclibyatripoli
Libya Review
7 hours ago
- Libya Review
Attorney General Orders Arrest of 172 Libyan Security Officers for Torture & Murder
On Wednesday, Libya's Attorney General issued arrest warrants for 172 members of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), following investigations that revealed their involvement in serious crimes, including murder, torture, kidnapping, and arbitrary detention. According to an official statement, the investigative committee assigned to the case documented 146 incidents of severe human rights violations committed by members of the Apparatus. These crimes included unlawful killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and illegal detentions. The investigation confirmed the direct involvement of numerous SSA personnel in these violations. The Attorney General also confirmed that 11 suspects have already been placed in pre-trial detention as investigations continue. He has instructed all law enforcement bodies to act swiftly in executing the arrest orders. Authorities were also directed to identify the current locations of the suspects and to coordinate with their workplaces to suspend them from duty, ensuring their compliance with judicial proceedings. The investigation involved the testimonies of 201 individuals, shedding light on the depth of abuses linked to the agency. Meanwhile, search efforts remain ongoing to locate several missing persons connected to these cases. In his statement, the Attorney General reaffirmed that Libya remains committed to pursuing justice and holding all violators accountable, regardless of their position or affiliation. He stressed that protecting human rights and ensuring justice are non-negotiable priorities for the state. The Stability Support Apparatus has been one of the most powerful and controversial security forces in Libya, long accused of operating beyond the rule of law. The agency has faced repeated allegations from both local and international human rights organizations regarding arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings. This unprecedented legal action represents a significant step by the Libyan judiciary toward addressing longstanding demands for accountability and justice in the country, which has been marred by years of conflict, lawlessness, and the unchecked power of armed groups. Tags: Attorney GeneralCrimeslibyaSecurity Officerstorture
