Libya's rival governments deny US deportation deal with Trump admin

Libya's two rival governments have denied claims that they reached any agreement with the United States to receive migrants deported under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, amid reports that deportation flights to Libya could begin as early as this week.

The denials came after a Reuters report citing three US officials who said that the Trump administration may deport a group of migrants to Libya for the first time. Two officials said the migrants could be flown by US military aircraft to the North African country as soon as Wednesday, but noted the plan could still change.

In response, both the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the House of Representatives-affiliated administration in Benghazi issued separate statements rejecting any involvement.

The GNU stated that it "categorically denies the existence of any agreement or coordination with the United States regarding the reception of deported migrants".

It further warned that "some parallel entities that do not operate under legal legitimacy may be involved in understandings that neither represent the Libyan state nor bind it politically or legally" - an apparent reference to the eastern administration and the forces of retired general Khalifa Haftar.

The GNU stressed its refusal "to allow Libyan territory to be used as a destination for deported migrants without its knowledge or approval", asserting its right to protect Libya's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the eastern administration's foreign affairs ministry also denied the existence of any agreements or plans to host deported migrants.

"There is no truth to claims of attempts to settle migrants in Libya," the ministry said, adding that it "completely rejects any agreements or understandings regarding migrants of any nationality - African, European, or American."

Khaled Al-Mahjoub, director of moral guidance in Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), echoed the denial in a Facebook post, calling the reports "completely false and unacceptable".

These statements follow widespread media speculation and political backlash sparked by leaked US reports, including a CNN investigation last week, which indicated that Trump officials had discussed deporting "unwanted" migrants - some with criminal records - to Libya.

The leak coincided with a visit to Washington by Saddam Haftar, the son of General Haftar, prompting speculation that he may have engaged in such talks with American officials.

Reuters noted that it was still unclear whether any formal agreement had been struck between the US and any Libyan authority, and said the proposed deportation effort could face significant legal and diplomatic hurdles.

The US Department of State declined to comment on diplomatic discussions, and the Department of Homeland Security and the White House did not respond to requests for clarification.

The deportation plan forms part of Trump's broader immigration policy, which has included threats of mass deportations, the use of Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention, and efforts to pressure other countries into accepting deportees.

As of Monday, the Trump administration has deported over 152,000 people, according to DHS figures.

In remarks last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was seeking new countries to receive deported migrants, stating: "We want to send you some of the most despicable human beings, will you do this as a favour to us? And the further away from America, the better."

The prospect of sending migrants to Libya has drawn sharp criticism, given Washington's record of condemning Libya's treatment of detainees. In its most recent human rights report, the US State Department criticised Libya's "harsh and life-threatening prison conditions" and "arbitrary arrest or detention".

US travel advisories warn citizens against visiting Libya due to "crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict".

Libya has experienced deep political fragmentation since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

The country remains split between rival factions in the east and west, despite a 2020 ceasefire.

The GNU, installed through a UN-backed process in 2021 and led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, is based in Tripoli, while the House of Representatives and Haftar's LNA control the east.