The unprecedented decision to bar the MV Aquarius from Italian harbours was taken by new Italian right-wing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini in line with an election pledge to take a tough line on migration. He demanded that Malta must accept the migrants instead.

New Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has  phoned Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat about the issue.

Muscat says Malta’s  refusing to allow the ship in because, in terms of international law, the migrants should been taken to the nearest port to their rescue, which is not Malta.

Malta says the German charity SOS Méditerranée picked up the migrants in Libyan waters, which means they fall under Italy’s jurisdiction.

The post Italy makes Maltese cross over migrant standoff appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Italy’s new rightwing government has closed its ports to the migrants rescued by a German vessel in Libyan waters.

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The UNHCR says migrants aboard the rescue ship Aquarius are in distress, running out of provision and urgently in need of help.

Italy’s closed its ports to the ship and said it should dock in Malta where prime minister Joseph Muscat insists international law determines Italy is responsible for them.

Mayors across southern Italy say they’re prepared to admit the migrants.

But they need the cooperation of the Italian coastguard. 

This afternoon Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says the rescue ship can dock in Valencia,

The post Spain agrees to take 629 migrants barred by Italy and refused by Malta appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.