Libya's rival gov'ts agree to establish joint center to combat terrorism, irregular migration

Tripoli [Libya], January 25: Military and security institutions from Libya's two rival governments, based in the east and west, have agreed to establish a joint center for communication and information exchange to strengthen border security, combat terrorism, and address irregular migration.
The project was discussed during a two-day meeting attended by representatives from the co-chairs of the Security Working Group for Libya, according to a statement released by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Friday.
The center, which builds on a coordination mechanism endorsed in December 2024, will involve representatives from all military and security institutions responsible for securing Libya's borders. It will facilitate collaboration on issues affecting both Libya and the broader region, UNSMIL Security Institutions Services Officer Ali Kilkal was quoted as saying in the statement.
Participants of the meeting also agreed to expedite the establishment of a strategic studies center to research border management and enhance communication channels between institutions.
Since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been struggling with insecurity and fragmentation. The country is now divided between two main rival administrations: the eastern-based government, backed by the parliament, and the western-based government in the capital Tripoli, supported by the Presidential Council.
Source: Xinhua News Agency