Libyan Navy Rescues 196 Immigrants
Nearly 200 illegal immigrants were rescued in two separate operations off Libya’s western coast over the weekend.
Thousands use Libya has a departure point into Europe each year, escaping civil war, poverty and strife in their home countries.
However, the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees has repeatedly said Libya is not a safe port for disembarkation of refugees, due to the deterioration of security conditions in the north African country.
In an interview with an international media outlet, Ayob Qassem – a spokesperson for the Libyan Navy – confirmed that 89 immigrants were rescued on Saturday, 19 October, nearly 120 kilometres off the coast of Khoms city.
The next day, another 107 immigrants, “including four women and four children”, were rescued from an inflatable boat off the city of Zuwara – approximately 120 kilometres west of the capital, Tripoli.
Altogether, explained Qassem, they were provided with humanitarian and medical assistance, before they were handed over to the Illegal Immigration Control Department.
