145 illegal immigrants deported from eastern Libya

A total of 145 illegal immigrants have been deported from eastern Libya to Egypt, Chad and Sudan, according to Libya's Illegal Immigration Control Department of the eastern city Benghazi.

"A total of 57 illegal immigrants, including women, have been deported to Egypt," the department said in a statement, adding that "88 other immigrants were deported to Chad and Sudan through the southern borders with Chad and Sudan."

Thousands of immigrants, mostly Africans, attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe from Libya because of the insecurity and chaos in the North African country since the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Many migrants are detained in reception centers in Libya despite international calls for closing those centers.