A vessel carrying at least 700 migrants was intercepted off the eastern coast of Libya, the coast guard said.
It was one of the largest interceptions in recent months of migrants seeking a better life in Europe through the North African country.
The coast guard said the boat was stopped Friday 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of the eastern city of Benghazi.
It said in a statement that the migrants hail from different nations and that those who illegally entered Libya would be handed over to their home countries.