A Libyan Coast Guard patrol intercepted 262 illegal immigrants off the coast of Garabulli town and Zliten city while in their way to the Italian shores on Saturday.

The Information Office of the Coast Guard said that among the rescued migrants were 44 children, 38 women and 180 men of different Arab and African nationalities.

It added that the migrants arrived at the Tripoli naval base at 11:30 am and were handed over to the Illegal Immigration Agency for the repatriation process.