Italy to give Libya 12 boats as migrant deaths at sea mount

Migrants sit at a naval base after being rescued by the Libyan coastguard in Tripoli. Italy is ready to assist the Libyan coastguard in tackling the North African country’s migrant crisis. (Reuters)

• Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said the vessels include 10 patrol boats aimed at strengthening the patrol activity of the Libyan coastguard
• Private aid groups that operate rescue vessels off Libya say the Libyan coastguard is ill-equipped to save lives

ROME: Italy is supplying Libya with 12 naval boats, as migrant deaths at sea mount in the waters near the North African nation.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said Tuesday the vessels include 10 patrol boats, aimed at “strengthening the patrol activity of the Libyan coastguard.”
The Italians will also help train the Libyan coastguard.
Recently, several smuggler boats filled with migrants have capsized shortly after setting out from Libyan shores, where human traffickers are based. While some migrants were rescued by the Libyan coast guard, hundreds of others, including children, were missing at sea and feared dead.
Private aid groups that operate rescue vessels off Libya say the Libyan coastguard is ill-equipped to save lives.
Italy, meanwhile, says private rescue boats only encourage traffickers to launch unseaworthy boats loaded with migrants toward Europe.