Tripoli June 25 (IANS) The Libyan navy has rescued 458 migrants in two separate operations off the coast of the cities of Al-Khoms and Zlitan.

Navy spokesman Ayob Qassem on Sunday said coast guards patrol rescued 361 migrants on two rubber boats 53 km off the coast of Al-Khoms around 120 from Tripoli Xinhua news agency reported.

"The migrants are from different African nationalities including 88 women and 44 children " he said.

Another coast guards patrol earlier rescued 97 migrants of four African nationalities including 22 women and 26 children from a rubber boat Qassem revealed.

The rescue operation took place off the coast of Zlitan around 150 km from Tripoli. They were taken to the Tripoli naval base and transferred to a reception centre in the capital.

Last week the Libyan navy rescued more than 1 000 migrants and recovered bodies of 25 others in separate operations.

Libya is a preferred point of departure for migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe because of the insecurity and chaos in their countries.

--IANS pgh/