German Foreign Ministry urges Libya to soften grip on NGOs work

BY Libyan Express Aug 21, 2017 - 09:28 Updated: Aug 21, 2017 - 09:30

Libyan coastguard threatens Spanish NGO ships as tensions rise in Mediterranean (Photo: Internet)

German Foreign Ministry has urged the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to allow the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work off its territorial waters in order to be able to rescue illegal migrants in the Mediterranean.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement cited by Deutsche Welle that here are no reasons to limit and ban the work as well as the search and rescue operations of the NGOs in the international waters off Libyan coast.

“We cannot understand the logic behind Libya’s aim to create a search and rescue zone.” The Foreign Ministry indicated, adding that the protection level of illegal immigrants should not be decreased.

Libya announced the creation of a search and rescue zone banning NGOs from operating in it on accusations that they are cooperating with human traffickers.

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