As many as 256 Egyptians have returned home from Libya over the past 24 hours via Salloum border crossing.

Of all 256, 61 Egyptians had illegally entered the North African nation, said Matrouh security chief Hisham Lotfi on Sunday.

Meantime, departure procedures for 852 passengers, including 195 Egyptians and 657 Libyans were finalized.

Egypt exerts utmost efforts to control its border with war-torn Libya to prevent smuggling and illegal migration.

Libya has descended into chaos since the 2011 ouster of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Source: MENA