QT audience member suggests pushing small boats back to France
My home city of Misrata on the coast of Libya may seem an unlikely place from which to observe the contortions of the British Government as it seeks to put an end to illegal migration. Yet Rishi Sunak should realise that the key to stopping the small boats washing up on the beaches of Kent is to be found in my war-torn and lawless homeland.
Long and hazardous journeys to England begin on Libya’s 1,500 miles of beaches. The migrants come from far and wide, some from sub-Saharan African countries such as Niger and Chad, some from the Middle East and some from as far afield as Bangladesh, reaching Libya via Egypt. Some are fleeing civil war and persecution; many are looking for a better life in the West.
People smugglers make a fortune from their callous trade, routing their customers across the Mediterranean to Italy and Greece in crowded, often unseaworthy vessels. From there they make their way across Europe to France and on to their dangerous final voyage across the Channel.
Stabilise Libya and you do more than bring peace and quiet to a people who have only known the brutal dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi followed by more than a decade of bloody internecine strife.
You also take a major step forward in stopping the boats and restoring UK control of its borders.
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READ MORE: Fears more migrants will cross Channel illegally after Turkey deal collapses
Mohamed Elmuntasser is a leading Libyan politician and businessman (Image: Mohamed Elmuntasser)
Prime Minister Sunak looks to me like a man with a broken tap. But instead of fixing the tap he attempts to stop the endless flow of water by sticking his finger in the spout. It is time to fix the migrant tap, I would suggest.
Understanding Libya's pivotal role in this scenario is essential. The chaos following the fall of Gaddafi transformed Libya into a primary transit point for African and Middle Eastern migrants aiming for Europe.
The UN-sponsored 6+6 framework, a pivotal initiative for establishing a unified Libyan government, emerged as a beacon of hope. However, its potential has been repeatedly undermined by delays and a lack of cohesive international support, including from key players like the UK.
This deadlock not only hinders Libya's journey to peace but also perpetuates the conditions driving people to flee, fueling the migration challenges facing the UK.
A common misperception about Libya complicates the international response. Unlike many nations experiencing turmoil, Libya is not grappling with economic destitution; it is a high-income country, thanks primarily to its oil wealth.
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The core issue is not the lack of financial resources but the absence of a stable, effective government. This distinction is crucial as it shifts the focus from traditional aid to the need for robust political support and strategic intervention.
In this context, the UK has both a moral responsibility and a strategic opportunity. The UK’s global influence and diplomatic prowess position it uniquely to lead international efforts in supporting Libya's political stabilisation.
This role involves actively engaging in diplomatic endeavors to encourage the warring factions toward dialogue and compromise. The UK must champion the implementation of the 6+6 framework, leveraging its international relations to foster a consensus among key global actors.
The UK's involvement should extend beyond diplomacy. It includes advocating for targeted developmental support – not in the form of financial aid, but as investments in Libya's institutional capacities and civil society.
This approach aims to build the infrastructural and administrative foundations necessary for a stable government. Additionally, the UK can play a significant role in shaping effective policies for border management and security within Libya, crucial for mitigating unregulated migration.
The implications of a stable Libya for the UK's migration policy are profound. A unified Libyan government can better manage its borders, disrupt human trafficking networks, and provide safer conditions for its citizens and migrants within its territory. This outcome would directly reduce the number of individuals embarking on dangerous journeys towards Europe, including the UK.
Libya was never a British colony, but relations between the two countries stretch back to the Second World War and the North African campaign that ultimately led to Allied victory over Nazi Germany.
Relations hit rock bottom during the Gaddafi era with the killing of police officer Yvonne Fletcher by a gunman shooting from the Libyan embassy in London and the bombing of an American airliner over Lockerbie in Scotland.
But more recently, Gaddafi was transformed from international pariah to favoured ally after the 2004 “Deal in the Desert” brokered by Tony Blair in which he agreed to give up his nuclear and chemical weapons programmes.
Then, just over a decade ago, Prime Minister David Cameron was in the forefront of a successful international effort to use military force to stop Gaddafi liquidating the rebels who rose up against him in Libya’s version of the Arab Spring. Now restored to government as Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron has a unique opportunity to finish the job he started in 2011 and help bring lasting peace to my country.
These historical ties provide a nuanced understanding of Libya's political landscape, which is invaluable in spearheading diplomatic efforts and supporting the 6+6 framework. By facilitating dialogue among Libyan factions and aligning global powers towards the common goal of Libyan stability, the UK can demonstrate leadership rooted in a deep, historical context.
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The UK's past security cooperation with Libya, particularly during the Gaddafi era, offers insights into effective strategies for strengthening border control and dismantling trafficking networks.
The migration issue confronting the United Kingdom transcends national borders and simplistic solutions. It is intrinsically linked to the fate of Libya. By acknowledging and addressing the root of the migration flow – the instability and fragmentation of Libya – the UK can chart a course towards a more manageable and humane migration policy.
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