Libya's coast guard said Saturday that it has intercepted Europe-bound vessels carrying nearly 200 migrants, including women, off the country's Mediterranean coast.
Spokesman Ayoub Gassim said that five rubber boats carrying 199 migrants were intercepted over the past several days near the capital, Tripoli.
He said the coast guard intercepted 39 migrants Wednesday in two boats, another boat with 17 migrants Thursday and two more with 143 migrants Friday.
All were Africans, except eight from Bangladesh. They were given humanitarian and medical aid, then taken to refugee camps in Tripoli.
Libya has become a major conduit for African migrants and refugees fleeing to Europe.
