The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Unity govt denies accord for Italy ships to deploy

A government plan to deploy vessels in Libyan territorial waters to help fight human trafficking would be presented to parliament in Rome.

A Libyan coastguard watches on as illegal immigrants are brought to shore in a dinghy during a rescue on June 27, 2017

Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj"denies having asked Italy to send naval vessels into Libya's territorial waters... or fighter planes into Libyan airspace", his Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement late on Thursday.

"Such allegations... are without any foundation," Sarraj was quoted as saying in the statement. "Libya's national sovereignty is a red line that nobody must cross."

Tripoli and Rome had agreed to "complete its (Italy's) support programme for (Libya's) coastguard through training and armament to allow it to save migrants' lives and to confront the criminal (trafficking) gangs", Sarraj said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The foreign ministry, in a statement carried by pro-GNA news agency LANA, said the Italian government had been asked "to provide logistical and technical support to the Libyan coastguard".

"This measure could require the presence of Italian ships in Tripoli port, only for this purpose and if necessary", the ministry explained.

The GNA chief, whose administration's control of the lawless country is limited, said he had also asked Rome "to support border guards" in southern Libya, the main entry point for migrants aiming to reach the shores of Europe, and to supply an electronic surveillance system.

Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Thursday that a government plan to deploy vessels in Libyan territorial waters to help fight human trafficking would be presented to parliament in Rome next week.

The cabinet was "discussing the details" of a request from Tripoli for assistance, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Almost 94,000 people have been brought to safety in Italy so far this year, according to the Italian interior ministry, an increase of more than five percent compared to the same period last year.

More than 2,370 people have died since January attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing, mostly on unseaworthy and overcrowded boats, the UN refugee agency says.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

President Ruto pens Easter message to Kenyans

President Ruto pens Easter message to Kenyans

NTSA suspends 2 popular PSV saccos with a fleet of over 200 vehicles

NTSA suspends 2 popular PSV saccos with a fleet of over 200 vehicles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

ADVERTISEMENT