Libya's interim interior minister has warned
that Tripoli could "facilitate" the passage of
those people seeking to get to Europe illegally
unless the European Union (EU) helps it combat
the problem.
"With regards to illegal immigration, I am
warning the world, and the European Union in
particular, that if they do not shoulder the
responsibility with us, the state of Libya will
take a position on this matter that could
facilitate the quick passage of this flood of
people through Libya since God has made us a
transit point for this flood," Salah Mazek told a
news conference on Saturday.
Mazek said Libya was "suffering" because
thousands of mainly sub-Saharan Africans were
spreading disease, crime and drugs in the North
African nation, the AFP news agency reported.
"Libya has paid the price. Now it's Europe's
turn to pay," Mazek added.
For years, Libya has been a springboard for
hundreds of thousands of Africans seeking a
better life in Europe.
Many cram into makeshift boats to attempt the
perilous Mediterranean crossing to Malta or the
Italian island of Lampedusa off Sicily. Hundreds
lose their lives each year.
More than 22,000 migrants have arrived in Italy
since the start of the year, 10 times more than
the number during the same period in 2013.
Former leader Muammar Gaddafi, deposed and
killed in the 2011 uprising, turned on and off
the flow of illegal migrants as a way of exerting
pressure on Brussels.
Shortly before the uprising erupted in February
that year, he demanded nearly $7bn a year
from the EU to solve the problem.
Mazek said he had just returned from a trip to
France where he had asked his counterpart for
help to tackle the problem, but without
specifying the nature of any such assistance.
