The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) denied on Tuesday recent reports claiming that the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had been moved to the mission’s headquarters.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the mission expressed concern over the spread of what it described as “such claims,” stressing that allegations that the United Nations or UNHCR are implementing programs to settle refugees or migrants in Libya are entirely false and have no basis in reality.
The mission said the continued circulation of misleading and inaccurate information contributes to rising tensions and distracts from constructive, fact-based dialogue.
UNSMIL emphasized the importance of relying on accurate information and called on all parties to avoid incitement and to respect the immunity of UN personnel, premises, property, and assets in accordance with Libyan legislation and international law.
Last Thursday, dozens of citizens demonstrated outside the UNHCR office in Al-Sarraj district west of Tripoli, demanding the suspension of its activities amid concerns over alleged efforts to pave the way for migrant settlement. The concerns were fueled by widely circulated images of refugee cards issued by the agency. A number of protesters blocked access to the office with an earthen barrier while chanting slogans rejecting the settlement of migrants and refugees in Libya.
The demonstrators carried banners opposing what they described as a project to settle migrants and refugees in Libya and called for the permanent closure of the UNHCR office.
