The Chairman of the Presidential Council, Fayez Sarraj, confirmed on Friday that Libya rejects EU plans to establish immigration centres on its territory to prevent asylum seekers from reaching European countries and that it will not succumb to financial temptations.

“We totally reject establishment of centres to receive migrants whom the EU rejects to receive.” Sarraj stated to German Bild newspaper.

He also rejected accusations against the Libyan Coast Guard on firing on aid workers trying to rescue migrants, stressing that the Coast Guard saves hundreds of lives off the coast of Libya every day.

He added that Libya stands on its own when saving migrants from the Mediterranean and that it needs more technical and financial support.