Libya’s Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration in the country’s east has assured Bangladesh of full cooperation in the quick and safe return of detained Bangladeshi nationals, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya said.

The assurance came from Deputy Director General Maj Gen Khaled Sari at a meeting with Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya Maj Gen Md Habib Ullah on October 7. Senior officials of the directorate, representatives of Libya’s foreign ministry, the embassy’s labour counsellor and other officials attended the meeting.

The embassy disclosed the information in a release on Friday.

The two sides discussed preventing irregular migration of Bangladeshis in eastern Libya, protecting migrants working legally, and ensuring the swift and safe repatriation of those in detention.

The ambassador said the Bangladesh government was working to ensure regular and safe migration, as well as the quick and safe return of trafficking victims.

He thanked Libyan authorities and the directorate for helping repatriate more than 2,000 Bangladeshis from eastern Libya in recent times. He also stressed effective steps to prevent irregular migration.

He urged authorities not to detain Bangladeshi migrants carrying valid documents and a Bitaka Hasr card without cause. He also sought cooperation in ensuring necessary humanitarian assistance for Bangladeshis held at various detention centres in the east, including Gunfuda, and in speeding up their repatriation.

The deputy director general expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation and coordination between the embassy and the directorate.

He said the legal and administrative procedures needed to repatriate detained Bangladeshis would be completed, and that travel permits would be issued in coordination with the embassy. Detainees would also receive necessary healthcare and humanitarian support until their return.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation and regular communication.