Iraq to repatriate 20 Kurds from Libya

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is working to repatriate 20 Kurds who were detained in Libya, Baghdad’s acting ambassador to the north African country said on Friday.

 “We have received information today from the Agency of Eradication of Illegal Migration in Tripoli that the 20 migrants from Kurdistan are now with the agency and they have entered Libya illegally,” Chargé d'Affaires Ahmed al-Sahaf told Rudaw.

 “We are working on preparations to return the detainees to Iraq, but we do not have an exact date yet,” he added.

 Last week, another group of six Kurds were returned to Iraq through the embassy. 

 Libya is used as a corridor for migration to Europe. Baghdad’s embassy has facilitated the repatriation of at least 60 Iraqis, according to Sahaf.

 Sahaf met with Libya’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in July.

 They “discussed the issue of illegal Iraqi immigrants and ways to cooperate in this field to address their situation, ensuring respect for local laws and international agreements, and preserving the rights of Iraqi citizens,” he told Iraqi state media.

 “The two sides also discussed a set of joint memoranda of understanding to be signed between the two countries after completing the necessary legal and technical procedures, which will enhance bilateral cooperation during the next phase,” he added.