TRIPOLI — Hundreds of Libyans gathered outside the U.N. refugee agency headquarters in Tripoli on June 4, 2026, demanding its closure. Protesters accused the agency of seeking to settle undocumented migrants in Libya.

Demonstrators erected tents and blocked the main gate of the U.N. building with a barrier and a truckload of sand. Protesters chanted "Libya belongs to Libyans." and shouted "The Libyan people have said their word." Some held signs. One read "Libya is not the world's garbage bin." Another stated "Our love for our country is not racism." A third declared "No to intruders in our country, take them out."

The U.N. Support Mission in Libya affirmed the right of all Libyans to express their opinions. A mission statement said "U.N. agencies are not implementing any programmes to resettle migrants in Libya and all claims against that are completely unhealthy." The refugee agency stated it is "working to find solutions outside Libya for people fleeing wars, conflicts and persecution, including evacuation to third countries, and voluntary return to their countries when circumstances allow."

The mission condemned incitement of violence or threats targeting U.N. staff, along with acts of vandalism and attacks on personnel and property. A U.N. mission statement warned that the spread of misleading information and hate speech regarding its work "contributes to increased tensions and incitement against the U.N. national and international officials." This June 4 demonstration was the largest of several recent anti-migrant protests in Libya.

Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, Libya has served as a transit route for hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty, many originating from sub-Saharan Africa. Some Libyan citizens blame undocumented migrants for social and economic problems that have become more visible over 15 years of conflict and political division. The International Organization for Migration estimates that Libya hosts roughly 900,000 migrants. Libya has an estimated total population of approximately 7 million people. A significant portion of the migrant population consists of Sudanese refugees who have fled civil war in their home country.

No independent assessment was available for this report.