Israel sends 150 illegal migrants back to Sudan

Tel Aviv, 15 Dec – (ANA) - Israel has deported 150 Sudanese migrants who entered the country illegally in search of work.

They were flown out on Monday and were returning home via a third country, an Israeli official said, speaking anonymously.

The UN refugee agency has confirmed the operation and says no coercion was involved in the deportations.

Israel recently stepped up efforts to stop Africans from entering illegally across its southern border with Egypt.

The Israeli official said some 200 Sudanese had been flown out of the country in recent months after agreeing to return home - but the latest operation was the largest yet carried out. (ANA)

FA/ANA/15 December 2010-------