Egypt slams inhuman migrant detention centres in Libya

Rome Dec 1 (IANS/AKI) The Egyptian government on Friday deplored Libya s detention of migrants in "inhuman" camps and called for a "global approach" to tackle the migrant emergency and fight the human trafficking which also funds terrorism.

"The detention centres are inhuman and are not an acceptable way to treat people who are fleeing from their own countries " Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told the Mediterranean Dialogues summit in Rome.

"We have five million immigrants who are integrated into our society " he noted.

A "global approach" is necessary to stamp out the human trafficking gangs that are stoking the migration crisis and financing terror groups Shoukry said.

"We need a global approach aimed at fighting the people trafficking gangs which are one of the main sources of funding for terrorist organisations including the Islamic State (jihadist group) " he said.

Shoukry also said that Egypt is playing a key role in stabilising Libya and is trying to make its UN-brokered 2015 political agreement more "flexible" to foster "reconciliation" between country s rival factions and to "unify the army".

"We don t make distinctions between Libyan brothers " Shoukry told the Mediterranean Dialogues summit.

Cairo has began talks with "the various Libyan political organisations" with the "brothers of Misurata" and with (powerful military strongman) Khalifa Haftar he said.

Libya s UN-backed premier Fayez al-Serraj "will visit Cairo soon" Shoukry said adding that Egypt s authorities are working with UN special envoy to Libya Ghassem Salame.

--IANS/AKI
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