TRIPOLI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Libyan navy on Tuesday said it rescued 31 illegal immigrants off the country's western coast.
"A coast guards patrol conducted a search mission and rescued 31 immigrants on a rubber boat," Libyan navy spokesman Ayob Qassem told Xinhua.
The rescue operation took place 65 miles (104 km) off the coast of the western city of Sabratha, some 70 km west of the capital Tripoli, the spokesman said.
The rescued immigrants were taken to a reception center after receiving medical assistance, Qassem added.
The 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime created a state of chaos and insecurity in the country, which encouraged thousands of immigrants to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe.
Flows of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, usually increase during improved weather conditions, particularly off the country's western coast.
The United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port of disembarkation of immigrants, due to the deteriorating security conditions. Enditem
