European countries to support Libya's anti-immigration efforts with 35 million euros

TRIPOLI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Italian Minister of Interior Marco Minniti said Saturday European countries will next week provide Libya with 35 million euros to support its efforts against illegal immigration.

Minniti made his remarks during a meeting with Libya's UN-backed prime minister Fayez Serraj in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

According to the prime minister's office, the meeting discussed detailed coordination against smuggling and human trafficking networks.

Minniti praised efforts of the Libyan Coast Guard to rescue illegal immigrants in the Mediterranean.

The number of immigrants rescued by the Libyan Coast Guard this year is 80,000.

Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former Gaddafi's regime, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores, due to the insecurity and chaos in the country. Enditem