The Chief of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya, Osman Belbeisi, confirmed the presence of more than 650 thousand illegal immigrants in the country, including at least 9 thousands are being held in detention centers.
Belbeisi explained that the number of immigrants in the centers of accommodation doubled in recent months due to increased operations by the Libyan Coast Guard, saying that thousands of them are at the mercy of smugglers and human traffickers.
He said that smuggling networks have become stronger and more organized, adding that migrants are subjected to serious violations along their journey from the southern regions to the Libyan coast.
SOURCE: Libya Observer
