Italy gives Libya 3 boats to patrol for migrants
Associated Press
2009-05-14 06:07 PM
Italy has given three patrol boats to Libya as part of an agreement between the two countries to stem the flow of migrants illegally reaching Italian shores.
Italy's conservative government is cracking down on illegal immigration.
The Interior Ministry says another three boats will be given to Libya in coming weeks.
Rome is pressing Libya to improve coastal patrols. It says Libya is a starting point for thousands of migrants traveling to Europe from northern and sub-Saharan Africa.
Interior Minister Roberto Maroni presided over a ceremony Thursday in the Italian port town of Gaeta to hand over the first three boats to Libya.
