90 illegal immigrants rescued off Libyan coast: IOM

Tripoli, May 27 (IANS) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that another 90 illegal immigrants were rescued off the Libyan coast.

“Last night, 90 migrants were rescued by a commercial vessel and returned to Libya. They spent the night onboard the ship and are awaiting clarity on disembarkation,” IOM tweeted.

IOM reiterated that “Libya is not a safe port” for disembarkation of rescued migrants, Xinhua news agency reported.

IOM said earlier on Monday that at least five boats carrying nearly 400 people attempted to flee Libya during the previous 48 hours.

After the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

Immigrant shelters in Libya are crowded with thousands of immigrants either rescued from the sea or arrested by Libyan security forces, despite international calls to close them.

–IANS

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