GAETA, Italy, May 14 (UPI) -- The Libyan ambassador promised his country's cooperation Thursday in keeping would-be African immigrants from getting to Italy.
Ambassador Hafid Gadur took possession of three patrol boats to be used to stop boats from making the passage from Libya to Italy, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Italy plans to give Libya another three boats.
Gadur said that Libya can determine if migrants from elsewhere in Africa are qualified for asylum.
"Libya is a country which hosts 2 million undocumented immigrants," he said. "Anyone who wants to, can stay with us and may do so in peace unless they commit a crime. Libya has always hosted people who have had problems in their countries of origin and will continue to do so."
Italy's new policy of intercepting immigrants before they reach its shores and returning them to Libya has been criticized by the Roman Catholic Church and the United Nations. Human Rights groups say that Libya does not have the facilities to provide for large numbers of refugees.
