Libyan Coast Guard under the influence from Libyan militias and foreign governments

摘要

With attempts by migrants to cross the Mediterranean from Libya on the increase and the European Union trying to set up its migration controls ever further from its own borders, Libya's coast guards are facing all kinds of pressures, from Libyans and foreign governments alike. The Libyan Coast Guard, which is the cornerstone of the European Union's efforts to externalise its migration management and organise its security cooperation with Libya, is an opaque and fragmented body. It is nevertheless the main force involved in the interception of migrants. Since the start of this year, it has brought back 13,000 people on to Libyan soil, more than half of them since mid-May, as the last few weeks has brought a massive increase in the number of people attempting to cross into Europe. The coast guard is split into two distinct corps, each under the authority of a different ministry. At the same time, it is in constant contact with Libya's militias and the EU states which are looking to train them and provide them with equipment.