Italy asks Libya to stop migrant flow

ROME, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is going directly to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to seek an end to waves of migrants washing up on Italy's shores.

Gadhafi has already agreed in principle to joint Italian-Libyan navy patrols to clamp down on the trade, but efforts to bring them about are mired in bureaucracy, The Independent reported Tuesday.

Berlusconi will fly to Tripoli Wednesday for an informal dinner with Gadhafi, the men's third meeting in less than two years.

As well as Libyans, thousands of sub-Saharan Africans pass through the country every year in the hope of gaining passage to Europe from the Libyan coast.

Roberto Calderoli, Italy's ultra-conservative Minister for Reforms, recently called for the use of force to drive away illegal immigrants arriving by boat, demanding greater efforts "to hunt down illegal immigrants who snatch bags and kill people."

In contrast, Spain announced during the weekend it would offer an amnesty to immigrants, giving legal recognition to those already in the country and not turning back boats heading for the Spanish coast.