The United Nations says nearly 2,000 migrants in Libya are in urgent need of evacuation from detention centres because of fighting around the capital, Tripoli.
Vincent Cochetel from the UN refugee agency described them as innocent civilians who had been caught in the crossfire.
Video footage appears to show a large number of migrants at one centre coming under attack.
Forces loyal to the eastern Libyan militia leader, Khalifa Haftar, launched an offensive on Tripoli at the start of the month.
