Roman clashes erupt over migrants

ROME, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Riot police moved into a working class neighborhood in Rome as angry residents attacked refugees staying in a shelter there.

Residents surrounded a group of North African migrants when the refugees left their temporary housing to buy coffee.

The situation became so threatening that Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino ordered the evacuation of some 45 migrant children from the center in the Tor Sapienza neighborhood. Marino said police could no longer protect the children

United Nations spokeswoman Carlotta Sami blamed the poor conditions in the neighborhood for the conflict between the two groups, and also condemned local leaders for not implementing "integration projects" that could help the refugees.

Some instigators of the attacks are believed to be members of far-right groups who witnesses have heard chanting "Il Duce," in reference to fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

The U.N.'s High Commissioner for Refugees condemned the violence, saying the migrants "deserve protection, not unacceptable acts of violence."