Libya, Qatar discuss four-way migration cooperation

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah received Qatari Minister of State Mohammed al-Khulaifi in Tripoli to review a four-way cooperation mechanism involving Libya, Qatar, Türkiye and Italy aimed at combating irregular migration.

Four-way migration mechanism

Dbeibah and Khulaifi assessed the framework launched earlier this year to coordinate security and technical cooperation among the four nations, according to a statement from Libya’s Government of National Unity. The two officials met in Tripoli on Wednesday to review efforts to disrupt migrant-smuggling networks and reduce flows across the Mediterranean, with authorities working to transform the agreement into practical coordination on the ground. Italy joined the initiative alongside Türkiye to support stability in the North African country while addressing migration pressures toward European shores.

Operational developments

The officials reviewed the status of a joint operations room that officially began work from its headquarters in Tripoli on June 18, the statement noted. They discussed expanding joint programs on capacity building and supporting voluntary return programs for migrants stranded in Libya. The pilot project represents the first institutionalized effort among the quartet to pool resources and intelligence on border management.

Bilateral relations

Beyond the multilateral framework, Dbeibah and Khulaifi examined ways to expand Qatar’s role in supporting political and economic processes in Libya. Dbeibah said maintaining communication with various Libyan parties remained essential and added that he hoped for a greater Qatari role in the coming period to foster stability and strengthen regional consensus on the war-torn nation’s future. The Qatari minister’s visit included stops in Tripoli and Benghazi, though specific dates were not disclosed.