14 immigrants drown off the Libyan shores

The Libyan ministry of the interior announced that at least 14 immigrants who were trying to reach the Italian coasts drowned and three went missing after water covered their boat off the Libyan shores.

The boat which was carrying 23 illegal immigrants from north Africa and south desert countries drowned in front of the "five points area," 3 km to the west of Tripoli, few hours after it had sailed from Libya to Tripoli on Sunday evening.

A statement by the Libyan ministry of the interior quoted by the Libyan official news agency said that the security forces rescued 6 persons and took 14 bodies, and are searching for three missing.

Libya had before refused calls from Italy and other European Union countries to move to eliminate illegal migration to Europe via Italy saying this issue needs cooperation between poor Africa and rich Europe.

However, Tripoli has recently witnessed efforts to halt illegal migration operations in the context of a diplomatic campaign to win the West's support after it had promised to give up the banned weapons program in 2003.