Massive drops in migration to Italy bring Libya’s problems to light

As the migration flow from Libyan shores to the Italian coast dropped by more than half within a month, analysts say deals between Italy and local armed groups to stop immigrants from boarding the boats are leading to abuses.
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Migrants ride in a boat after they were rescued by the Libyan coastguard off the coast of Gharaboli, east of Tripoli, Libya, July 8, 2017. - REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny
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Justin Salhani (Lebanon Pulse)
@JustinSalhani
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MILAN — Over the last year, thousands of migrants and refugees have made the perilous journey from the shores of Libya to the Italian coast. The figures of new arrivals in 2016 were set to surpass 2017 — that is, until last month.

Italy received over 78,000 people from Jan. 1 to July 12, 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration. The same dates in 2017 recorded over 86,000 new arrivals.

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