TRIPOLI, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan coast guard has rescued 362 illegal migrants in three separate operations in western Libya, the Navy's spokesman said Friday.
"Coast Guard patrols, in three separate operations, rescued 362 illegal immigrants of different nationalities," Navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem told Xinhua.
The first operation took place off the city of Al-Khoms, some 120 km east of Tripoli, where 89 migrants were rescued, Qassem said.
"The second patrol was carried out by the vessel Kifa in Abu Kammash town, some 120 km west of Tripoli, where two broken boats were spotted and 250 immigrants were rescued. They were taken to Tripoli Naval Base and then transferred to the Tajura housing center of the anti-illegal immigration department," Qassem said.
The third operation saved 23 migrants, including 9 Libyans, on a small wooden boat about 80 km north of Abu Kammash, Qassem added.
Following the 2011 uprising in Libya, illegal migrants have been trying to leave the chaotic situation in the country and cross the Mediterranean to reach European shores.
