Boris Johnson expected in Malta after Tripoli visit

UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson met Fayez al-Serraj, the prime minister of Libya’s UN-backed government, in Tripoli where the two discussed security and irregular migration.

The visit saw Johnson pledging more than €9 million to help Libya tackle human trafficking and terrorism. Johnson reportedly planned a Malta visit following his meeting with al-Serraj. This would be the second time that Johnson visits the island, having first come in November ahead of Malta’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The BBC reported that Johnson described Libya “as the front line in Europe’s struggle against illegal migration and terrorism” – a statement that has become common amongst many leaders of the European Union, and its institutions.

Johnson, who was on his second visit to Tripoli this year, agreed with al-Serraj that the EU should do more to help tackle the migration crisis. But he also confirmed Britain’s support to the government’s efforts in achieving consensus between Libya’s rival parties.

Ahead of Johnson’s visit, al-Serraj warned Europe faced a growing risk from terrorists unless it did more to help his country stem the massive tide of illegal migrants.