June 05, 2026
Hundreds of Libyan demonstrators blocked off the office of the UN refugee agency in the capital Tripoli on Thursday during a protest against migrants who have travelled to the country in search of work or passage to Europe.
Since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit route for hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty, often in sub-Saharan Africa, with many risking dangerous journeys across the desert or the Mediterranean.
The oil-dependant Libyan economy is also a draw for migrants seeking work, and many do menial jobs in sectors including cleaning and construction that Libyans are reluctant to fill.
Thursday's was the largest of several recent demonstrations against migrants, who are blamed by some Libyans for social and economic problems that have become more visible during 15 years of conflict and political division in the North African country.
