Deputy President of the Presidency Council of Libya, Musa al-Koni, says the existing political divisions in Libya make it difficult to control illegal migration.

Mr Al-Koni made the remarks during a meeting with British Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson in the capital, Tripoli, where they discussed the problem of illegal migrants.

It has repercussions on Libya and Europe, according to a statement issued by the Presidency Council on Tuesday.

“The deputy president confirmed that in light of the political division that the country is witnessing. It is difficult to combat illegal migration without a unified strategy to ensure securing the borders and reducing this phenomenon.

“Al-Koni called for intensified efforts to support the stability of the Sub-Saharan African region, and to contribute to addressing the crises that the countries of the region are experiencing.

“It stresses the need to create spatial development in the source countries of illegal migration to reduce the desire of migrants to leave their countries,” said the statement.

Mr Tomlinson said illegal migration was a matter of priority to the British government, which has been making efforts to reduce illegal migration.

It added that Britain seeks to cooperate with Libya on this issue.

This has caused insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of its late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011.

Many migrants, mostly Africans, have chosen to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya.

(Xinhua/NAN)