Ahmad 
The International Organization for Migration has revealed details of its interception of more than 13,000 migrants off the Libyan coast since the beginning of this year, who were returned to Libyan territory.
The aforementioned numbers include 445 children, during the period from January 1 to August 10. The organization reported that this year witnessed the death of 421 migrants, and 603 others went missing during attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
In the same context, the Libyan Minister of Interior explained during an international conference on migration held last month in Tripoli, that 70 to 80% of foreigners in Libya are residing illegally.
The minister indicated that there are about 2.5 million foreigners in Libya, most of whom entered the country illegally, stressing Libya’s rejection of settling migrants on its territory.
According to reports from the International Organization for Migration, the number of migrants who lost their lives or went missing during their journeys in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2023 rose to 4,984 people, compared to 3,820 last year.
Libya, located in North Africa and about 300 kilometers from the Italian coast, is a major departure point for thousands of migrants, mostly from the sub-Saharan region, who want to reach Europe. The International Organization for Migration announced the rescue and return of 442 migrants to Libya during the past week alone in 2024, bringing the total to 1,004 irregular migrants since the beginning of this year.
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