Libya halts more than 400 migrants bound for Europe
A crowded boat of immigrants during a rescue operation by the Italian navy off the coast of Sicily on June 30, 2014. Libya's coast guard said February 4, 2017 it intercepted more than 400 African migrants attempting to reach Europe. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Libya's coast guard said Saturday it intercepted more than 400 African migrants attempting to reach Europe, a day after EU leaders agreed on moves to curb mass migration from the country.
General Ayoub Qassem, the coast guard spokesman, said 431 people on inflatable crafts were rounded up between Thursday and Saturday at sea off the town of Sabratha, 70km west of the capital Tripoli.
