Libya Settlement Would End İllegal İmmigration: Tripoli

Libya's Islamist Tripoli-based parliament said Tuesday that finding a political solution to the country's ongoing crisis would help end the chronic problem of illegal immigration.



In a Tuesday statement, the Tripoli-based parliament expressed its regret over the recent drowning of hundreds of illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean Sea.



On Sunday, a boat carrying around 700 migrants capsized while en route to Italy from Libya.



The Islamist parliament held the rival Tobruk-based assembly – along with all parties impeding a political solution in Libya – responsible for the "humanitarian tragedies taking place inside and outside the country, including the victims of illegal immigration."



Sunday's incident came only one week after a double-decker boat capsized – with around 550 people on board – about 120km south of Italy's Lampedusa Island.



Some 400 migrants lost their lives as a result.



If the latest death toll is confirmed, the number of deaths by drowning in waters between Libya and Italy will surpass 1,500 this year alone, according to the International Organization for Migration.



Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the decades-long rule of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.



Since then, the country's stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each with its own institutions and military capacities.



Vying for legislative authority are the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and the Islamist-led General National Congress, which convenes in Tripoli.



The two assemblies support two rival governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Trablus