Libya's Coast Guard has interception a vessel carrying around 700 migrants off the eastern coast of Libya in one of the largest operations in recent months targeting migrants destined for Europe.

According to the Coast Guard, their force intercepted the boat on Friday, off the coastal town of Mora, some 90 km west of Benghazi.

The migrants came from different countries, the Coast Guard said, indicating that those who entered Libya illegally will be returned to their countries of origin.