Libya, UN discuss cooperation, security of missions in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Acting Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation El-Taher El-Baour met on Monday with a senior UN official to discuss cooperation between the two sides, according to a statement by Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

During the meeting with Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator in Libya, the two sides discussed the work of UN agencies in the country, coordination with Libyan state institutions, and measures to ensure the safety of UN missions and personnel, according to the statement.

The two sides stressed the importance of continued consultation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, and of strengthening cooperation in support of Libya's interests, stability and development, the statement added.

The meeting comes amid recent protests in Tripoli under the slogan "No to resettlement," accusing the International Organization for Migration (IOM) of resettling migrants in Libya.

On June 4, hundreds of protesters blocked the headquarters of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in western Tripoli. In early September, protesters also stormed an IOM office in Tripoli, raising concerns about the safety of its staff and the continuation of its work in the country.

Libya remains a major transit point for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea, due to the country's long coastline and geographic proximity to Europe. Enditem