TUNIS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia has foiled 10 illegal immigrants' attempts to cross the Mediterranean to the Italian coast, National Guard Spokesman Houcemeddine Jbabli said on Thursday.

       Tunisia's Maritime Guard thwarted these illegal immigrants late Wednesday off the country's northeastern and central-eastern coasts, Jbabli said in a statement.

       The Maritime Guard also arrested 146 illegal immigrants, including 99 from African countries, according to the spokesman.

       The number of illegal immigrants attempting to reach Italy from Tunisian coasts usually increase during the summer because of good weather conditions.

       Thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year as Tunisia is one of the main points of access to Europe through irregular channels.