Libyans Arrested at the Serbian-Croatian Border

Two Libyan citizens, along with four Afghan nationals, were arrested May 19 at the Serbian-Croatian border. The presence of Libyans in the Balkans could indicate that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is sending operatives to Serbia and Croatia — countries with which Libya has had mutually beneficial military ties — to acquire military equipment or to recruit mercenaries. However, the most likely explanation for the Libyans' presence in the Balkans is the existence of another route for North African migrants seeking to enter the European Union.