Authorities overseeing eastern Libya deported 1,886 migrants of various nationalities in September, according to official figures reported by the Libyan News Agency.
The deportations were carried out by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Authority affiliated with the administration based in eastern Libya. Migrants were returned through designated border crossings and approved routes to their countries of origin.
The authority said the returns were part of measures aimed at addressing irregular migration and completing the legal procedures required before migrants can be sent back.
September’s figure was 9.7% higher than the 1,720 migrants reportedly deported in August. However, it was lower than the 2,922 deportations recorded in July.
According to figures from the authority, 6,528 migrants were deported between July and September. September recorded the second-highest monthly total during that period, after July.
The reported figures apply only to deportations conducted by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Authority linked to the eastern administration. They do not represent the total number of migrant returns from Libya, as other authorities and agencies operating in different parts of the country may have carried out additional deportations.
The authority said the return process involves more than simply transporting migrants across the border. It includes accommodation, registration, completion of legal procedures and arrangements based on migrants’ nationalities and individual circumstances.
Libya remains a major transit country for migrants seeking to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. Migrants in the country have faced prolonged detention and reports of abuse, exploitation and other rights violations, while authorities continue to carry out deportations and other measures aimed at reducing irregular migration.