Italy toughens grip on disembarking migrants coming via Libya’s shores on its islandsItaly toughens grip on disembarking migrants coming via Libya’s shores on its islandsItaly has been urged on Monday to reverse a decision to turn away a rescue vessel that picked up 53 migrants fleeing north Africa across the Mediterranean as concern grew over the fate of those onboard. However he warned the rest should be returned to Libyan territorial waters and off-loaded in Tripoli. The vessel rescued 53 migrants drifting in an inflatable raft off the coast of Libya last week. The 18-article decree would bring fines on the captain, owner and operator of a vessel “entering Italian territorial waters without authorisation”. Mr Salvini has seen his popularity soar in the last year after taking a hard line against migrants, including forced returns to Libya.

Source: Libya Today June 18, 2019 08:48 UTC