A large group of African migrants has been rescued from their kidnappers during a security operation in Tripoli, the 444th Brigade of the Libyan army said on Saturday.

Libyan authorities arrested two suspected human traffickers and facilitated the return of more than 50 Egyptian migrants to their home country, officials said.

Libyan authorities yesterday detained a suspect for “torturing irregular Egyptian immigrants and extorting their families to obtain money.”

An investigation by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister publication, has shed light on a drug-smuggling network between Syrian and Libyan ports led by a convicted criminal with dual nationality who works in eastern Libya with the support of Khalifa Haftar’s allies.

Mains water is to be restored to western Libya after a week-long cut prompted by sabotage threats from loyalists of a jailed Moamer Kadhafi-era official, the water authority said.

The management of the Man-Made River said Thursday that outlaws had blasted station (353) at the eastern track of Hassawna system, Jafara, thus cutting water supply to Bani Walid, Misrata, Al-Khums, Zliten and other surrounding areas.

Sideeq Al-Sour, the Attorney-General, has confirmed that no kidnapping or detention beyond the judicial and parliamentary institutions will be permitted; he also stated that the judiciary is capable, and has the capacity, desire, and aptitude to fulfil its duty.

The National Committee for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) called on the Libyan authorities to shoulder their legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards combating human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.

Doctors without Borders (MSF) said one illegal immigrant was killed and two others were injured in gunshots fired inside a detention center in Tripoli.

Brigade 444 said its forces had neutralized criminals’ hideouts in Nessma area – about 200km from Tripoli – arresting 16 smugglers, whom it said were criminals wanted by the authorities but had never been apprehended.