Financial compensation will be provided to Egyptians returning from Libya following tensions in the neighbouring country, according to Deputy Minister of Manpower and Immigration Ashraf Riyad on Saturday. Riyad said that in February, the ministry registered the data of Egyptian workers in Libya, preparing for compensation to be delivered to them and providing 30,000 job opportunities, state media reported. He added that the workers will receive compensation after filling forms of departure from Libya. The flow of Egyptians returning from Libya increased following the beheading of 20 Egyptians Copts, in an attack claimed by "Islamic State" affiliates in Libya. A video showing the beheadings was released on 15 February. Egypt responded to the attack by launching airstrikes in coordination with the Libyan government on the city of Derna, where the militant's targets are believed to be. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced Friday that the total numbers of Egyptians returning via EgyptAir flights and over the Salloum border crossing has reached 25,529. The ministry statement added that 4,122 citizens returned via EgyptAir flights until 26 February, and 21,407 Egyptians have crossed into Egypt through the Salloum border crossing. Riyad said the numbers of Egyptians who work and live in Libya ranges between 800,000 and 1 million. Other estimations by Libyan officials state that approximately 1.3 million Egyptians work and reside there.
