Manpower Minister Ahmed al-Borai said on Thursday that Egypt is seeking compensation for Egyptians who fled Libya following the eruption of violence in the country on 17 February.
Al-Borai told reporters his ministry has been moving to deal with any consequences and counting the losses of the returnees, and will submit a statement to the United Nations to get compensation.
Around 200,000 Egyptians have returned from Libya since the start of the popular uprising calling on Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi to step down. Egyptians make up the largest foreign community in Libya, with around 1.5 million people working in the country.
Al-Borai said that the return of Egyptians from Libya would not affect the local job market in Egypt, and that their total number is still less than expected.
He said that some Egyptians had returned to Libya and resumed working in secure areas, while some agriculture workers located in safe areas are still in the country.
