Protesters Shut Down IOM Office in Tripoli Over Migration Tensions

Demonstrators in Tripoli have forced the closure of the local office of the International Organization for Migration (International Organization for Migration), escalating public unrest over migration governance and related policy concerns.

The protesters on Tuesday blocked access to the premises and erected barriers, demanding an immediate halt to the organization’s activities. They carried placards rejecting any perceived plans to resettle migrants in Libya and called for the deportation of undocumented migrants to their countries of origin.

Slogans such as “No entry, no resettlement, Libya for Libyans” underscored rising public anger amid ongoing nationwide demonstrations linked to migration pressures.

The protest movement, which has intensified over the past two weeks across several parts of the country, reflects growing concern about the social, economic and security implications of irregular migration flows through Libya, a key transit hub toward Europe.

The Government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh has denied any policy of migrant resettlement, stating that authorities are conducting deportation operations within their capacity while calling for stronger international cooperation to manage migration challenges.

The closure of the IOM office follows earlier demonstrations targeting the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, signalling mounting public scrutiny of international agencies operating in the country.

Human rights groups have cautioned against rising xenophobic rhetoric and reported incidents of abuse against migrants, urging that migration challenges be addressed through structured legal and humanitarian frameworks.

Libya continues to face sustained pressure as a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa seeking passage across the Mediterranean to Europe, placing strain on public services and security institutions.