TRIPOLI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Stability Support Agency has launched intensive desert patrols to secure areas along the Libyan-Tunisian border.

In a statement released Saturday evening, the agency said the step came as part of a comprehensive plan to combat the growing threats of illegal migration and smuggling.

The statement stressed that these patrols operate around the clock through teams trained to deal with geographical and security challenges in rugged border areas.

Also on Saturday, the Libyan military authorities of the Government of National Unity launched a large-scale anti-crime military operation in the country's West Coast Military Zone, starting from the city of Zawiya which is located some 45 km west of Tripoli.

Zawiya has recently witnessed violent clashes between armed militias, the last of which was in December when the country's main oil refinery was heavily damaged.

Libya has been divided into multiple military zones due to the ongoing instability and conflicts following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. These zones are typically controlled by different factions. Enditem

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