The Speaker of Libya's House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, said on Monday that “Libya’s attempts to prevent the smuggling of migrants and save their lives are within the limits of its capabilities,” calling for a comprehensive solution to the issue in consultation with countries of origin, transit, and destination.

Saleh's comments came in his opening speech before the International African Conference on Illegal Migration in the city of Benghazi, according to House of Representatives spokesman Abdullah Bliheg.

At the beginning of his speech, Aguila welcomed the President of the Pan-African Parliament and the guests participating in the conference, stressing that “migrants have fallen prey to fraudulent acts by smugglers and brokers.”

He added that "the Mediterranean witnessed an unprecedented wave of illegal migration, which led to the loss of lives. As we express our sympathy to the families of the victims, we affirm our position in support of every international effort that seeks to reduce the risks to which illegal immigrants are exposed."

Saleh stressed the need for the international effort to be in line with "the principles of international law, especially the principles of respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states".

He concluded, “This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed comprehensively in consultation with countries of origin, countries of transit, and destination countries, while taking into account the need to address the root causes of illegal immigration and the reasons for the increase in the number of immigrants”.