UN envoy: Libya mercenaries a threat to entire North Africa

UN says at least 20,000 foreign fighters are in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese, and Chadians.

The UN special envoy for Libya warned the Security Council that progress on the key issue of withdrawing mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya has stalled and their continued presence is a threat not only to Libya but to the North African region. Jan Kubis said on Friday recent disturbing events in neighbouring Chad, where rebels were blamed for last month’s killing of longtime president Idriss Deby, are a reminder of the link between the security situation in Libya and the security and stability in the region. “The high mobility of armed groups and terrorists but also economic migrants and refugees, often through channels operated by organized criminal networks and other local players across uncontrolled borders only enhances risks of furthering instability and insecurity in Libya and the region,” he said.