Egyptian security forces prevent migrants entering Libya

Security forces in Marsa Matrouh have prevented migrants from entering Libya via desert routes near Salloum, state news agency MENA reported on Thursday.

According to MENA, they arrested 102 people, including 9 Sudanese and 93 Egyptians, from governorates including Cairo, Assiut, Sohag, Beni Suef and Fayoum.  The prosecution is currently investigating the incident

In April, Egypt renewed its warnings to its citizens to avoid travel to Libya as the security situation remains dangerous in the country. In February, the Islamic State group in Libya beheaded 20 Coptic Egyptian migrant workers near Derna.

The International Organisation for Migration estimates that between 330,000 and 1.5 million Egyptians worked in Libya until the ongoing unrest that began with the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya is a hot spot for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean for Europe.

source:Ahram Online