UN evacuates 163 refugees from Libya to Niger

The UN said on Friday it had evacuated 163 refugees from war-ravaged Libya to neighboring Niger. More than 3,000 others were still trapped in detention centers affected by clashes. The move marked the first evacuation of refugees and migrants out of Libya since fighting escalated in Tripoli two weeks ago. “Given the situation in Libya, humanitarian evacuations are a lifeline for detained refugees whose lives are in jeopardy in Libya,” AFP quoted UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi as saying. The operation came as fierce fighting continued between forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar and those backing the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).