Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The European Union and African Union say at least 3,100 migrants who were stranded in Libya have been returned to their home countries in the past two weeks.
A new task force that also includes the United Nations aims to repatriate another 15,000 migrants from Libya by February.
The effort comes after recent footage showing African migrants in Libya being auctioned as slaves. Several African nations have begun bringing home hundreds of their citizens.
Up to 700,000 migrants are thought to be stranded in dozens of detention camps across the chaotic North African country. Libya is a popular launching spot for migrants attempting the often dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean to Europe.
Some aid groups have accused the EU of contributing to the problem by making entry more difficult.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
