French president Emmanuel Macron has announced his country will set up processing ‘hotspots’ in Libya for asylum seekers trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean.
He said France will ‘go to them’ to prevent migrants taking ‘crazy risks’ in smugglers’ boats across the perilous sea.
Over 2,300 migrants have drowned this year attempting to make the journey, the International Organization for Migration says, with more than 100,000 attempting the voyage from Libya.
‘The idea is to create hotspots to avoid people taking crazy risks when they are not all eligible for asylum,’ Mr Macron said.
‘We’ll go to them,’ he added during a visit to a refugee shelter in central France, adding the plan would be put in place ‘this summer’.
Macron’s announcement came two days after he brokered talks in Paris between the leaders of the two rival authorities in war-torn Libya, who agreed to a conditional ceasefire.
The lawless country is the main launchpad for African migrants trying to reach Europe in rickety boats operated by smugglers that frequently sink.
Macron had said Tuesday he hoped the agreement to try to end five years of chaos in Libya would check the flow of migrants.
The vast majority land in Italy – the EU country closest to North Africa – which has complained of a lack of solidarity from its neighbours in dealing with the influx.
From Italy, a fraction then push on into France.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.