Egypt thwarts infiltration of 87 migrants to Libya through Salloum

CAIRO – 19 March 2019: The Egyptian security forces managed to thwart the illegal infiltration of 87 people from different governorates into Libya through Salloum, according to security reports.

The migrants were caught while trying to cross the border through some desert routes. They were arrested and detained until they are criminally and politically examined, according to the reports.

The Libyan Coast Guard picked up in November last year, 315 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, including Egyptians, aboard inflatable boats on their way to Europe.

According to Coast Guard spokesman Ayoub Qassem, the picked up migrants included 32 women and eight children.

Over the years, migrants, especially those whose countries witness long-lasting crises, have used the western coast to leave their countries for Europe.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has exerted extensive efforts since he took post in 2014 to secure the Egyptian coasts and fight illegal immigration, which is probably the reason behind Egyptians’ resorting to Libya for illegal immigration.

During the World Youth Forum held in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Sisi addressed illegal immigration and unemployment, asking if those developed countries that suffer from illegal migrants are ready to offer job opportunities to youth in countries with high unemployment rates.

Earlier, during his visit to Berlin, Sisi has also reviewed Egypt’s “remarkable” success in halting illegal immigration to Europe since September 2016.