144 rescued migrants taken to Libya

The UN has blasted European countries for making it hard for them to aid refugees at sea.

Hundreds of Libyan migrants have been rescued in the Mediterranean Sea. (AAP)

More than 140 refugees and migrants rescued at sea have landed in Misrata, Libya, and been taken to a detention centre, the United Nations says.

But the UN has made clear it has done so reluctantly.

"In Libya's current context, where outbreaks of violence and widespread human rights violations prevail, no rescued refugees and migrants should be returned there," Charlie Yaxley, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR said.

He has denounced "politicking around sea rescues" by European countries that have restricted aid groups from conducting missions.