TRIPOLI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday welcomed the release of 39 refugees from a detention center in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
"UNHCR welcomes the release of 39 refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia from Tajoura Detention Centre following UNHCR advocacy," UNHCR said in a statement.
"All released refugees are being registered with UNHCR and are receiving immediate assistance. This includes essential items such as blankets, hygiene kits, and clothing, all aimed at restoring dignity and supporting their recovery," the statement added.
Among those released are refugees who were recently freed from smuggling sites in the southeastern city of Kufra by the Libyan authorities, according to the statement.
Since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya.
Many migrants who were rescued at sea or arrested by the Libyan authorities ended up being detained in reception centers across the country.
