The Global Refugee Forum in Geneva last week came at the end of a decade in which the number of refugees rose to more than 25.9 million worldwide, according to the UN. In October, an agreement under which the Libyan coast guard stops migrant boats headed for Sicily and returns their human cargo back to the country, was automatically renewed. Under the controversial deal, Italy trains, equips and finances the Libyan coast guard. A contribution of €800 million ($886 million) has been pledged in addition to commitments made in June totalling €200 million for tackling human trafficking, a large portion of which is earmarked for Libya. Nevertheless, there are unconfirmed reports of informal agreements between Italy and militias operating along the Libyan coast.

Source: Libya Today December 21, 2019 21:22 UTC