Context:

Libya's rival governments have both denied agreeing to receive deported immigrants from the United States, highlighting concerns over national sovereignty. While the Trump administration plans to transfer migrants to Libya using military flights, the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and authorities in eastern Libya, led by Khalifa Hifter, have rejected any such agreements. The Tripoli government emphasized its lack of consent and suggested that any deal made by eastern entities would not be legally binding. Despite formal U.S. relations being limited to Tripoli, Saddam Hifter's recent meetings in Washington may imply potential agreements with eastern Libya. Critics argue that deporting immigrants to Libya is controversial due to the country's poor record in treating refugees and migrants, including reports of abuse and slavery in detention facilities.

Dive Deeper:

• Libya is divided between two rival administrations: the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, which controls the west, and the eastern authorities led by warlord Khalifa Hifter. Both deny any agreement to accept deported migrants from the United States, citing violations of Libyan sovereignty.

• The Trump administration's controversial plan involves using military flights to deport immigrants to Libya, a country with a notorious history of human rights abuses against migrants. The plan has faced criticism due to Libya's reported mistreatment of refugees, including sexual violence and forced labor.

• Tripoli's government has explicitly rejected any coordination for the entry of deported migrants, emphasizing that any agreement with parallel entities in eastern Libya is not representative of the Libyan state and lacks legal or political validity.

• Khalifa Hifter's administration in eastern Libya also firmly denies any agreements on migrant resettlement. Despite this, Hifter's son, Saddam, had meetings with U.S. officials, raising suspicions of potential deals with the eastern administration.

• Libya serves as a major transit point for migrants aiming for Europe and operates numerous detention facilities. Reports from Amnesty International and the Global Detention Project have documented severe abuses in these facilities, describing them as 'hellscapes' and highlighting the risks associated with deporting immigrants to Libya.