9 Jun 2010

UN agency ordered to leave Libya

10:29 am on 9 June 2010

The United Nations Refugee Agency says it has been ordered to leave Libya.

Thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa pass through Libya on their way to Europe each year.

The BBC reports Libyan officials view the majority of those who claim they are refugees as economic migrants.

There has so far been no official statement from Tripoli on the decision.

According to UNHCR figures, about 9000 refugees - mainly Palestinians, Iraqis, Sudanese and Somalis - are registered in Libya. In addition, there are 3700 asylum seekers, mainly from Eritrea.

The agency has been working in Libya since 1991.