Libyan Fury Erupts Over Proposed Migrant ‘Settlement’ Amid Fears of National Identity Threat

Widespread apprehension is mounting across various Libyan sectors regarding potential efforts to allow migrants to “settle” within the country, reportedly at the behest of European nations. This alarm is fuelled by a noticeable surge in the arrival of hundreds of migrants recently, reviving serious questions about the possibility of Libya becoming an “alternative homeland” for thousands fleeing their countries. These settlement initiatives are facing fierce opposition from civil society, legal bodies, and media figures, despite modest official proposals that appear unlikely to succeed.
Angry Protests and Security Crackdowns in Cities
Several Libyan cities have seen popular movements opposing the situation. In Tripoli, a demonstration in Martyrs’ Square featured decisive slogans such as “Libya is not a place for refugees,” “No to migrant settlement,” and “No to changing Libya’s identity.” Protesters demanded that authorities adopt a firm stance on what they described as a “dangerous” issue.
In Misrata, a similar protest turned violent as demonstrators attacked and destroyed an informal market used by African migrants, demanding its permanent closure and the expulsion of those inside. Protesters justified their escalation by pointing to a rise in criminal activities and the proliferation of weapons among some migrants, which they believe threaten local security. These events have been accompanied by a wave of incendiary online commentary depicting migrants as an “existential and internal threat” and a source of crime and disorder.
Security Operations and Migration Control Efforts
In the wake of this popular outcry, security agencies launched extensive raids targeting migrant locations, detaining large numbers and taking them to police stations. The Agency for Combatting Illegal Migration announced the thwarting of an illegal migration attempt off the shores of the Al-Tamimi area, where 48 individuals of various nationalities were intercepted and transferred to the agency’s branch in Derna for legal action. Other undocumented migrants were apprehended in the city of Al-Qubbah for violating residency laws.
Concurrently, the Coast Guard continues its efforts to intercept migrants in the Mediterranean and return them to shelters. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) report noted that nearly 1,000 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya during the week of 21–27 September 2025. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior announced the launch of an “expanded campaign to deport migrants” to their countries, supported by the IOM, which has recorded the presence of 704,369 illegal migrants in Libya. Earlier, Interior Minister Emad al-Tarabelsi stated that approximately 2.5 million foreigners are in Libya, 80% of whom entered irregularly.
Legal and Rights Justifications for the Response
Legal researcher Mohamed al-Arabi justified the security campaigns, stating they were a response to “crimes and violations” committed by migrants against citizens, as well as their concerning presence in residential areas. Al-Arabi described the use of Libya as a transit state for migrants awaiting “death boats” as a “criminal operation” the state is working to end. He stressed Libya’s weak capacity to tackle the complex crisis alone, demanding UN and European Union intervention, particularly given the high numbers arriving from Sudan due to conflicts.
Similarly, political analyst and human rights activist Husam Eddin al-Abdali confirmed that “popular anger is escalating” due to rising numbers and the lack of documentation. He warned that the issue now poses a threat to public health and creates fierce competition in the job market, alongside the migrants’ untaxed utilisation of subsidised government resources. Al-Abdali concluded that the current situation represents a “real demographic threat” that could lead to the “beginning of a revolution against irregular migration.” This concern is echoed by the “No to Settlement” movement and the National Council for Civil Liberties and Human Rights, which view settlement schemes as a “dangerous conspiracy” targeting Libyan sovereignty and national identity.
A New European Initiative and Rights Criticisms
Against this backdrop of categorical refusal, a new initiative was unveiled in Tripoli. It involves designating a facility to collect registered migrants willing to undergo voluntary return. The EU Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, visited the site, affirming the EU’s close monitoring of the operation’s implementation in cooperation with partners, while stressing that all returns must be “safe, voluntary, and in accordance with humanitarian standards.”
However, the initiative has drawn widespread criticism. Rights activist Tarek Lemloum called it a “repetition of a previous failed experiment”—referencing the short-lived 2018 EU-funded centre. Lemloum criticised the EU Ambassador for striking a direct agreement with the head of the Border Guard Authority, bypassing the Interior Minister, and questioned the “usefulness of a new centre,” given that voluntary returns are already being conducted through existing centres and airports.
Political and Media Stances: Calls for De-escalation and Regulation
For his part, member of the High Council of State, Ahmed Langhi, affirmed his rejection of migrant settlement but called for “not confusing” irregular migrants with neighbouring nationals who entered legally for work, describing the latter as “brothers to Libyans.” Langhi insisted that the solution lies first in registering migrant numbers and correcting their legal status, proposing “draft laws to regulate the conditions of foreigners,” and urging against “adopting violent stances” toward them, warning that violence “only breeds violence” and could destabilise the country through external incitement.
The media’s stance was more aggressive. Journalist Malek Faraj stated he had no sympathy for any foreigner who entered irregularly, advocating that the “only assistance is to return them to their countries via shipping or legal deportation,” warning that their numbers will expand in the future. Separately, journalist Atiya Bani criticised settlement attempts, comparing the situation to Libya “turning into another Palestine,” and called for more peaceful demonstrations to reject the presence of migrants, asserting that “Libya is for Libyans only.”
The overarching sentiment reveals deep anxiety over individual actions and initiatives that contradict the unified calls from protestors, legal movements, and media figures, who are resolute in rejecting any plans to settle migrants in Libya, viewing it as an attempt to alter the country’s identity and a threat to its national security and social stability.