Italian Premier Berlusconi in Libya, meets Gadhafi
2008-10-17 17:58:45

وكالة الأنباء السعودية - واس

TRIPOLI, Libya, June 27 , SPA -- Italy's Premier Silvio Berlusconi
held talks with Libya's leader Moammar Gadhafi during a
visit Friday to the North African country, according to AP.
The meeting in the Libyan city of Sirte was «long and
cordial,» touching on illegal immigration, the Middle East
conflict and the Paris summit on the Mediterranean Union,
Berlusconi's office said in a statement later in Rome.
Berlusconi stressed the urgent need to implement a 2007
deal with Libya for joint sea patrols to stem the flow of
clandestine migrants. The Italian premier called for
greater cooperation with Libya on this front as well as in
the economic sector, the statement said.
The issue of illegal immigration was expected to top the
agenda, as Libya is the point from which thousands of
would-be immigrants set sail in their efforts to reach
Europe.
The Italian government has pressed Libya for years to step
up patrol of its shores.
According to Italian Ministry figures, about 16,500
illegal migrants believed to have departed from Libya
reached Italian shores in 2007.

--SPA

المصدر http://www.spa.gov.sa/details.php?id=569007