A coast guard patrol rescued the illegal immigrants, including women and children, from a rubber boat whose engine broke down at sea, the navy's information office said in a statement.

The rescued were taken to a reception center in the capital for humanitarian and medical assistance, the statement said.

According to the Libyan navy, it has rescued nearly 7,000 illegal immigrants this year so far.

Thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe from Libya.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has repeatedly stressed that Libya is not a safe port in light of its deteriorating security conditions.

The country has been in chaos and insecurity since the 2011 uprising that toppled the late leader Muammar Gaddafi.