Libyan navy on Tuesday announced rescuing 92 illegal immigrants, including women and children, off the country's western coast.
The rescue operation took place off the coast of the city of Garabulli, 55 km east of the capital Tripoli, the navy said in a statement.
The rescued include 77 men, 11 women, and 4 children, the statement said, adding that they are of different African and Asian nationalities.
The illegal immigrants have been provided with humanitarian and medical assistance and taken to a reception center in eastern Tripoli, the navy said.
Since early April, the east-based army has been leading a military campaign to take over Tripoli from the UN-backed government.
According to the World Health Organization, the fighting has killed 607 people and injured 3,261 others so far.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently said that illegal immigrants rescued off the Libyan coast "should not be returned to detention" because of security conditions.
"IOM reiterates that there are no safe ports in Libya and migrants should not be returned to detention," IOM said.
Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants who want to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe because of the state of insecurity and chaos in the country.
Improved weather conditions have increased the flows towards Europe.
SOURCE: Xinhua
