TRIPOLI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan coast guards on Friday rescued 75 illegal immigrants off the western coast, the navy spokesman Ayob Qassem told Xinhua.

"A coast guards patrol rescued 75 illegal immigrants on a rubber boat off the city of Zuwara," some 120 km west of the capital Tripoli," Qassem said.

The rescued immigrants are of different African and Arab nationalities, the spokesman added.

A few days ago, the Libyan Red Crescent recovered 60 bodies of illegal immigrants who were drowned last week off the eastern coast of Tripoli.

Because of the insecurity and chaos, Libya is a preferred point of departure for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean toward Europe, many of whom drown on the way.