Italy concerned about terrorists in migrant population

ROME, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Of hundreds of thousands of migrants who arrive in Italy annually, some may be jihadists, Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano warned.

Speaking to Parliament, Alfano said Italy would make a tempting target for Islamic State militants.

"Italy, as the cradle of Christianity, does not occupy a secondary post in the Islamic war against the West," he said. He added that border controls are being strengthened to stop Italy from becoming an "entry gate" for terrorists. "Surveillance on immigrant boats is very high but the intelligence does not point to a risk of terrorism. Nothing will be underestimated. Intelligence indicates that instability in Libya supports the training and sending of jihadists to Syria and Iraq," Alfano said.

He told Parliament's lower house that IS has resources that "no other (terrorist group) has had before," noting that 48 people from Italy are known to have traveled to Iraq or Syria to join IS, and that Italy is investing "considerable investigative resources" on monitoring Internet recruiting efforts.

The country is also working with the European Union, Europol, Interpol and NATO to combat the threat of terrorism.