TRIPOLI, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) said on Sunday that 180 illegal immigrants were rescued off the western Libyan coast.
"We stress Libya is not safe a port for disembarkation," UNHCR said in a tweet.
Since early April, the UN-backed Libyan government has been engaged in a deadly armed conflict against the rival east-based army, which is trying to take over the capital Tripoli and overthrow the government.
The fighting so far has killed more than 1,000 people, injured more than 5,700 others, and forced over 120,000 to flee their homes, according to the World Health Organization.
Because of the insecurity and chaos, Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, many of whom drown on the way.
