Italy's anti-immigration Interior Minister Matteo Salvini hailed on Friday the news that the Aquarius migrant rescue boat would no longer operate in the Mediterranean.
In a tweet, Salvini said this would lead to "fewer departures, fewer landings, fewer deaths. That's good."
Salvini, who leads the far-right League party, has banished charity-run migrant rescue ships from Italian ports, seriously limiting their ability to bring migrants ashore.
He justified the move by claiming that rescue ships worked with human smugglers to bring migrants into Europe, a charge that charities have always rejected.
The Aquarius was run jointly by the non-governmental organizations Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee. They announced an end to its operations late Thursday.
The decision was taken in the wake of flag registration and legal problems for the Aquarius, which according to the NGOs reflect growing hostility from European governments to migrant rescue work.
GMT 12:21 2018 Thursday ,25 October
Italy to help Russia, EU restart dialogue "premier"GMT 17:52 2018 Wednesday ,24 October
PM Giuseppe Conte invites Putin to visit ItalyGMT 09:14 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Aoun winds up Italy visit, back in BeirutGMT 23:55 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
UAE ambassador attends inter-cultural dialogue conferenceGMT 20:37 2017 Thursday ,21 December
UAE Ambassador attends New Year reception in RomeMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor