(MENAFN) At least 370 illegal immigrants have been saved off the Libyan coast, according to a statement issued Saturday by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM stated in a tweet that "Today, more than 370 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya by the coast guard." It added, "While IOM staff were onsite to provide needed emergency assistance, we maintain that Libya is not a safe port." Since the fall and death of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has turned out to be a desired point of departure for immigrants who try to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores due to the insecurity and chaos that have plagued Libya. The Organization approximated that around 10,000 illegal migrants have been saved off Libyan coast and returned to Libya so far in 2020, compared to 9,225 in 2019.

Source: Libya Today November 02, 2020 14:15 UTC