Gadhafi defends immigration agreement

ROME, June 11 (UPI) -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi told Italian senators Thursday his country needs more European assistance to curb illegal immigration.

Gadhafi defended the policy under which African immigrants intercepted at sea will be returned to Libya, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Italy also agreed to pay Libya $5 million in reparations for its colonial policies.

''Let the Italian government stop defending you from immigration, let millions of people in, and then you'll need a dictator to protect you,'' Gadhafi warned the Senate.

Gadhafi, on his first state visit to Italy, gave his speech in a room next to the Senate Chamber because of protests by opposition parties. But only one party, Italy of Values, boycotted the speech.

Critics have said Libya does not have the facilities to provide for thwarted immigrants and to process the claims of asylum seekers. Gadhafi said humanitarian groups can do the job if they get the resources.

''Many billions of euros are needed to stem the flow of immigrants into the Mediterranean,'' Gadhafi said.