Libyan Deputy PM says will punish anyone involved in violations against migrants

TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad M'etig said Thursday that anyone involved in violations against illegal immigrants in Libya will be punished by the government.

CNN has recently published a report about auctions in different parts of Libya where stranded African migrants were sold as slaves for as little as 400 U.S. dollars.

"As the Libyan Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, we have formed a commission to investigate details allegations of migrant slave trade in Libya, as published by Western media," M'etig told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

"If anyone is proven to be involved in the offense, they will be punished by strict procedures," M'etig said, confirming that the case is currently under investigation by the Libyan Attorney General, the Interior Ministry, and the anti-illegal immigration department.

"The torture or sale of human beings is forbidden in Libya and in Islam," M'etig said.

Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, because of insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Enditem