TRIPOLI, Dec 18, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – The United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) said Thursday that 126 illegal immigrants were rescued
and returned to Libya.
Up to “126 persons among them 8 women and 28 children were returned to
Libya this morning after their boat was intercepted/rescued at sea,” the
UNHCR tweeted.
“UNHCR partner IRC (the International Rescue Committee) was present at the
disembarkation point and provided water, blankets and medical assistance.
They were all sent to detention,” the UN agency said.
Libya has been mired in chaos following the downfall of its former leader
Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Since then, the North African country has become a
preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants who want to cross the
Mediterranean Sea towards Europe.