UN Mission condemns staff threats, attacks on offices, denies migrant settlement claims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The United Nations mission in Libya issued a strong condemnation Wednesday following threats against its staff and attacks on its offices in Baghdad. Protesters angry over alleged migrant settlement projects stormed the UN mission headquarters in the Karkh district of the capital. Demonstrators also closed the UNHCR office in Baghdad. The mission said the UN and its affiliated agencies do not carry out any programs to settle migrants in Libya, calling the claims completely baseless. The mission expressed concern about the spread of misinformation and hate speech, saying it had escalated tensions against national and international staff. The UN Refugee Agency said it works in coordination with Libyan authorities and the international community while respecting Libya's sovereignty, seeking solutions outside the country for those fleeing war, conflict and persecution.