Libya urges more support to face illegal immigration

A Libyan border guard official urged on Sunday the European Union states to show more support for the unrest-hit country to be able to fight illegal immigration that has been on the rise over the past period.

Colonel Reda Issa, who is in charge of the Central Sector of the Libyan Border Guard, told MENA that the Libyan border guards are almost saving hundreds of illegal immigrants from drowning every day.

He attributed the growing illegal immigration movement over the past period to the calmness of seawater.

Most of those immigrants come to Libya from Sudan and then try to sneak to Europe through Libyan territorial waters, he added.

"We talked to our European partners about this growing phenomenon but they did nothing till now," he said.

He urged European countries, especially Italy, to stand by Libya to control illegal immigration.