The Iraqi Embassy in Libya is actively engaged in following up on the situation of Iraqi citizens in Libya, particularly those who have entered the country irregularly. According to Ahmed Al-Sahhaf, Charge d'Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Libya, the embassy has made efforts to uncover the fate of nine Iraqi migrants who entered Libya irregularly. The Iraqi authorities have initiated procedures to confirm their identities, with a view to their voluntary return to their families in the Kurdistan region.
The nine Iraqi migrants have undergone necessary medical examinations to ensure their well-being, and the embassy has maintained communication with their families to provide reassurance about their conditions. The embassy has issued them with travel documents, facilitating their urgent return to Iraq and completion of procedures to ensure their safe arrival at their families. Al-Sahhaf emphasized that the embassy will continue to monitor the situation of Iraqi migrants in Libya and coordinate with Libyan authorities to guarantee their safety and facilitate their voluntary return to Iraq.
In another development, Al-Sahhaf met with Taher Hussein, Director of the General Protocol Department at the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss several matters of mutual interest. The meeting reviewed the outcomes of the Iraqi-Libyan joint committee meetings held in Baghdad from August 23 to 25, 2026, and emphasized the importance of following up on the implementation of agreed-upon decisions to enhance cooperation between the two countries. The two sides also discussed the Libyan government's decision to exempt Iraqi citizens residing in Libya from delayed residency fees over the past decade.
The meeting focused on the procedures required for the decision to take effect and enable eligible Iraqi citizens to benefit from it. The parties also touched on potential challenges in implementing the decision. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting scheduled for Baghdad in the second half of October and Libya's participation therein. Both parties stressed the importance of continued coordination between the Iraqi Embassy and the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to overcome obstacles in diplomatic work.
Al-Sahhaf also met with Mamoraj Sharma, Administrative Manager of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), to discuss channels of cooperation and coordination between the Iraqi Embassy and UNSMIL. Sharma congratulated Iraq on its sovereignty day, praising the Iraqi government's efforts in implementing the agreement to end the tasks of the international coalition in Iraq. Al-Sahhaf noted that the withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq represents a step towards enhancing Iraq's security and sovereignty.
The two parties also discussed developments in Libya and the UN's efforts to support the political process in the country. They emphasized the importance of exchanging information and expertise and developing communication channels between the embassy and UNSMIL. The Iraqi Embassy is working to verify the fate of 18 Iraqi migrants who entered Libya irregularly and are believed to be at risk of having been lost at sea.
The embassy is coordinating with the Iraqi and Libyan Red Crescent societies, providing DNA samples to help identify the migrants and determine their fate. Al-Sahhaf stated that the embassy is in constant communication with the families of the missing migrants to complete the necessary procedures and requirements. The embassy's efforts aim to provide assistance and support to Iraqi citizens in Libya and promote bilateral cooperation between Iraq and Libya.
Key points
- The Iraqi Embassy in Libya is working to uncover the fate of Iraqi migrants who entered the country irregularly and facilitate their voluntary return to Iraq.
- Iraq and Libya are enhancing bilateral cooperation on issues such as migration, residency, and economic partnerships.
- The two countries are coordinating with international organizations, including the United Nations, to address common challenges and promote stability in the region.
