United Nations: Hundreds of Thousands of Migrants Expected in Italy Before Winter


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Italy may soon be the epicenter for a new migrant crisis, as hundreds of thousands in Libya are attempting to make a break for the Italian coast.

At least 235,000 migrants and refugees are on the coast of Libya waiting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, a United Nations official has warned.

“We have on our lists 235,000 migrants who are just waiting for a good opportunity to depart for Italy, and they will do it,” said Martin Kobler, the head of a UN mission that is seeking to bring peace and stability to the North African country, which is divided by rival governments, militias and Islamic State.

The only way to stop the exodus is to bring together Libya’s competing factions and vanquish Islamic State in their stronghold in the coastal city of Sirte, he told La Stampa, an Italian newspaper.

Libya needs a strong army, police and coast guard to be able to take on the smuggling gangs who make millions of pounds trafficking men, women and children across the sea to the shores of Italy.

Isil’s position is being steadily eroded after a months-long assault by Libyan forces, the envoy said.

“Very soon, Isil will no longer have control over territory in Libya,” Mr Kobler said.

“This is quite encouraging and could give hope to the country. At the same time, however, we need to stay vigilant, because terrorism is not finished and Isil’s militants will try to disperse to other regions.”

Speaking on Thursday, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called for Royal Navy ships to “turn back” boatloads of migrants and refugees leaving the shores of Libya, in a radical departure from current policy.

British warships have been rescuing migrants and transporting them to Italy.

The Foreign Secretary appeared to call for a dramatic departure from that policy at a press conference in Italy.

“I think, personally, that they should be turned back, these boats, as close to the shore as possible so they don’t reach the Italian mainland and they (provide) more of a deterrent effect.”

The dismantling of ISIL in Libya better happen soon. So far this year, less than 150,000 migrants have successfully made it into Italy. Within just the next couple of months, the number living in the country could triple.

Source: Telegraph



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