TRIPOLI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Gernman Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza on Wednesday called for closure of immigrants detention centers in Libya.
"As the airstrike on the Tajoura Detention Center rightly has been condemned, efforts now must focus on the closure," the ambassador tweeted.
"We encourage Libyan authorities to redouble their efforts and continue to support together with the United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) Libya and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Libya," Owcza added.
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Libya on Wednesday called on Libyan authorities to ensure protection of illegal immigrants detained in Libya's reception centers.
"The release of migrants and refugees from these centers should be a first step towards a gradual replacement of the current detention system with more sustainable alternatives which will benefit Libya," the delegation said in a statement.
Migrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of people who have been rescued at sea or arrested by Libyan security services.
The UNHCR and the IOM have demanded closing of the immigration reception centers in Libya, stressing that Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of immigrants because of the deteriorating security conditions.
Earlier in July, an immigrant reception center in east of the capital Tripoli was attacked, killing and injuring dozens of people.
Both of the UN-backed government and the east-based army exchanged accusations for the attack.
The east-based army loyal to Khalifa Haftar has been leading a military campaign since early April in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the city and overthrow the UN-backed government. Enditem
