The EU is set to start training of Libyan Coastguard personnel on October 24, Libya's official news agency LANA quoted EU sources as saying.

The news agency reported that the first stage will be launched offshore where 80 coastguard trainees will receive special training for up to three months to enhance their skills.

"The second stage will commence in December and will target from 500 to 600 trainees in Malta and Greece," LANA added.

The training is part of EU's Operation Sophia which was launched last year with the aim to tackle the growing numbers of African migrants who set off from the Libyan spoil to the EU shores.