Libya asks France to support southern border security

TRIPOLI, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj on Thursday asked France to support southern Libya's border security.

Serraj made his remarks during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Libya's capital Tripoli.

According to the prime minister's media office, the meeting discussed illegal immigration, human trafficking and political developments in Libya.

"The prime minister stressed that Libyans are victims of this phenomenon (illegal immigration), and that all parties involved are responsible for it," the office said in a statement.

"Libya needs assistance to secure its southern border, through which illegal immigrants flow," it added.

For his part, Le Drian reiterated France's support for the Libyan government to achieve security and stability in the country.

"The two parties agreed to increase cooperation and coordination to track smugglers and traffickers inside and outside Libya, support the voluntary return for illegal immigrants, persuade immigrant countries of origin to receive their citizens and find a solution to the problem in a comprehensive manner," the statement noted.

Due to the insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe. Enditem