Cairo, Jan. 1 (BNA): The Libyan Coast Guard said that a ship carrying no less than 700 migrants was intercepted off the eastern coast of Libya. It was one of the biggest interceptions in recent months of migrants seeking a better life in Europe via the war-torn North African country.
The coast guard said the boat was stopped on Friday off the Mediterranean town of Mora, 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of the eastern city of Benghazi, the Associated Press reported.
It said in a statement that the migrants come from different countries and that those who entered Libya illegally will be extradited to their countries of origin.
The statement did not give further details.
The Coast Guard posted photos on Facebook showing a large, overcrowded ship, with most of the people on board appearing to be young men.
It was one of the biggest interceptions in recent months of migrants setting sail for Europe, a destination for thousands fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa.
In August last year, Italian military ships helped a boat packed with 539 migrants off the southern island of Lampedusa. The boat set off from the Libyan shores.
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