Libya's eastern-based army on Friday warned against the proposed establishment of foreign military presence in southern Libya over illegal immigration.
"We have received information about some international parties wanting to establish military presence in some areas of southern Libya under the pretext of combating illegal immigration," the army said in a statement.
The army, led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar, said it considers the move "a clear violation of the international law and a blatant aggression on the Libyan sovereignty."
The army will take "all necessary actions to protect the Libyan state, its borders, people, institutions, facilities, and economic capabilities," the statement added.
The warning comes days after Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini proposed to Libya's UN-backed government to establish reception centers for immigrants in southern Libya.
The Libyan government said it has rejected such proposal.
Due to the insecurity and chaos that followed the 2011 uprising, Libya has become a departure point for migrants across the Mediterranean toward Italian shores.
Italy closed its ports earlier in June and refused to receive a ship belonging to an international organization that rescues migrants in the Mediterranean, with 600 migrants aboard.
Spain agreed to receive the 600 migrants, after intensive international contacts.
Italy's refusal to receive these migrants from Libya is the first of its kind, which observers consider an indication of Italy's likelihood to give up its international commitments on migrants.
By: Xinhua News.
Photo: Urdu Point.
Review: Emerging Market Formulations & Research Unit, Flagship Records.