UNHCR welcomes release of 19 illegal immigrants from detention in Libya

TRIPOLI - The United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday welcomed the release of 19 illegal immigrants from a detention center here.

"We welcome the release this week of 19 persons from detention in Libya. The group are mostly women and toddlers. The group were released from Triq al Sikka detention center, following advocacy efforts by UNHCR," the commission said in a statement.

"UNHCR advocates (for) an end to detention for refugees and migrants," the statement said.

Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe from Libya, although the UNHCR has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port due to its deteriorating security conditions.

Shelters in Libya are crowded with immigrants rescued at sea or arrested, despite international calls to close those centers.

The UNHCR revealed earlier in January that there are 46,395 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the agency in Libya.