Over 1,700 migrants rescued off Libyan coast in 2020 so far: UN
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E-mail Xinhua, February 22, 2020
TRIPOLI, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday that more than 1,700 migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast by the country's coast guard in 2020.
"As of Feb. 21, 1,737 refugees and migrants have been registered as rescued/intercepted at sea by the Libyan Coast Guard and disembarked in Libya," UNHCR said.
According to the UNHCR, there are currently 47,647 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Libya.
Amid the state of insecurity and chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for many illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean Sea toward European shores.
Shelters in Libya are currently overcrowded with thousands of immigrants rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan authorities, despite international calls to close them.
"We call for the orderly release of all refugees, asylum seekers from indefinite detention in Libya," UNHCR said. Enditem
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