BEHEIRA, Jan 12 (Aswat Masriya) - One hundred and thirty-seven Egyptian fisherman arrived back from Libya during the past 24 hours, fleeing the militant fighting which has recently gripped the neighbouring country.

One hundred fishermen arrived on board three boats yesterday, said Ahmed Nassar, the head of the Fishermen's Syndicate in Kafr El Shiekh. The fishermen are to be investigated since they did not enter Egypt through legitimate channels, he added.

Thirty-seven others have turned themselves in to the border guard in Rashid on Monday, after escaping on three Libyan fishing boats, said Beheira Security Director Mohamed Fathy Ismail.

Upon arrival, the fisherman said that they "worked in Libya and were not able to leave legitimately, given the current condition of the country."

Militant fighting in Libya has recently intensified in measures unprecedented since the overthrow of late Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Several Egyptians had been caught up in the fighting. Many have been killed, while others found themselves the victims of kidnapping.

Last week, 300 Egyptian fishermen turned themselves in to the border guard after escaping Misrata, a Libyan coastal city.

Egypt's foreign ministry constantly reiterates its warning to all Egyptians residing in Libya, calling on them to avoid any conflict areas. It also keeps renewing its travel alert to the neighbouring country, urging those travelling to Libya to secure a visa from the Libyan embassy prior to their travel.