TRIPOLI, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Friday said it rescued 213 illegal immigrants in two separate operations off the country's western coast.
According to the navy spokesman Ayob Qassem, a coast guards patrol rescued 107 illegal immigrants, including five children, on a rubber boat eight miles off the coast of Zliten city, some 150 km east of the capital Tripoli.
After receiving a distress call, another patrol rescued 106 illegal immigrants 63 miles off Zliten coast, the spokesman added.
All the rescued were taken to a reception center in Khoms city, some 120 km east of Tripoli, after receiving medical and humanitarian assistance, Qassem said.
Due to the insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Gaddafi's regime, Libya became a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean toward European shores.
Improved weather conditions increase flows of illegal immigrants from Libya to Europe, particularly off the country's western coast.
