254 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast in the past week

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday that 254 illegal migrants were returned to Libya after being rescued off the coast last week.

"During May 1-7, a total of 254 migrants were intercepted at sea and returned to Libya," IOM said in a statement.

So far in 2022, as many as 4,715 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, including 438 women and 188 minors, IOM added. IOM also said that 114 illegal migrants died and 436 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route in 2022.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

The United Nations Security Council has adopted its first unanimous statement expressing "deep concern" over the raging Ukrainian conflict and backed efforts by the U.N. chief to find a peaceful solution.

Security Council statements must be approved by all 15 of its members, and the one adopted on Friday appeared to have averted Russia's veto by referring to the conflict as "disputes" rather than "war" - as Moscow insists that its Feb. 24 military offensive against Ukraine constitutes only a "special military operation."

The brief statement, drafted by Norway and Mexico, was adopted by consensus, with support from Russia along with the other members.

The document is not legally binding and does not mention Russia by name. Only Security Council resolutions are legally binding.

The United States, this month's holder of the rotating presidency, said in the statement that the Security Council "expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine."

"The Security Council recalls that all member states have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means," it added.