TRIPOLI, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Wednesday announced it rescued 574 illegal immigrants in three separate operations off the country's western coast.
"Coast guards patrol rescued 292 illegal immigrants off the coast of the city of Zawiya (some 40 km west of the capital Tripoli)," the navy said in a statement.
The second operation rescued 101 migrants of different African nationalities, 48 miles off Zawiya coast. The immigrants were taken to Tripoli naval base, the statement said.
The third operation was carried out off the coast of the city of Garrabulli, some 50 km east of Tripoli. The rescued migrants were taken to Tajura reception center near Tripoli.
Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal immigrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe due to insecurity and chaos in the North African country following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Improved weather conditions have increased the flow of migrant boats from Libya towards Europe, particularly off the country's western coast.
