Libya detains 700 migrants en route to Europe

Libyan police detained 708 illegal migrants trying to sail to Europe from Libya late last month, the official Jana news agency said. Libyan authorities also deported 1,213 would-be migrants of various nationalities during the same October 22-31...

Libyan police detained 708 illegal migrants trying to sail to Europe from Libya late last month, the official Jana news agency said.

Libyan authorities also deported 1,213 would-be migrants of various nationalities during the same October 22-31 period.

The latest deportations bring to at least 6,800 the number sent home since mid-September, according to Libyan figures.

Libya is hosting an Africa-Europe conference on migration later this month, European officials say.

Europe has urged North African countries to do more to stop the flow of illegal migrants trying to reach Europe via Italy and Spain.

Governments in Africa urge expanded cooperation between Europe and Africa. They argue a crackdown on migrants, without increased development aid, will only push the flow to other places.

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