TRIPOLI, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said Tuesday that 535 migrants returned to their countries of origin this week under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, with support from the European Union.
According to a statement posted by IOM Libya on its official social media account, the returns included 180 migrants to Chad, 102 to Guinea, 79 to The Gambia, and 174 to Bangladesh.
IOM said it continues, with EU support, to facilitate voluntary returns, helping migrants reach their countries of origin safely and with dignity.
Libya remains a major transit point for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea, due to the country's long coastline and geographic proximity to Europe. ■