The external borders agency the European Union (Frontex) believes it can reach the EU countries between 500,000 and 1.5 million people because of the riots in Libya and North Africa, according to European sources have reported. "These are people of sub-Saharan origin working in Libya and North Africa" \u200b\u200band "would be directed mainly to Italy, Malta and Greece." Interior ministers of the EU will meet Thursday in Brussels to discuss for the first time the immigration consequences of the riots in northern Africa.
The Twenty will meet to discuss the immigration consequences of the Arab riots also the European Commission, Frontex and the Italian government will inform the other Member States on operation 'Hermes' in the Italian island of Lampedusa. Frontex is now devoting most of their abilities in this operation, dubbed 'Hermes' where after the riots in Tunisia have already reached about 5,500 immigrants. "It will be the first opportunity Twenty-seven have the council discuss the immigration crisis and assess the next steps, "he informed a spokesman of the Hungarian presidency.
For its part, the office of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has revealed that it is preparing for an eventual "significant exodus" of the Libyan population, under the repression of popular revolts against Gaddafi. "So far we have not seen a huge exodus, but We are very concerned about the reports we are receiving about the widespread violence and persecution of specific persons, which could cause a significant exodus, "said the spokesperson for this office, Sybella Wilkes, in an interview with Reuters.
A high proportion flee to save their lives in this context, the official noted that UNHCR is developing contingency plans ahead of a possible humanitarian emergency, although with very limited room for maneuver because of the blockade by the Libyan authorities. However, he noted that the country's geographical location which will allow forward movement of its citizens leave.
"We can anticipate that a high proportion of their lives trying to flee, escaping a direct persecution. It is possible that people are taking boats to try to reach Europe. So the most viable options are Tunisia, Egypt and North Africa, across the sea, "said Wilkes.
While the spokesman reiterated the call made hours earlier by the High Commissioner this agency, Melissa Fleming, the African and European countries to be "flexible" and make use of Libyan migrants in a "humanitarian gesture" because the organization had received "disturbing reports" about governments that are turning to other refugees to believe that they are mercenaries Gaddafi.
UNHCR calls on the European and African countries that welcome migrants Libyans "African Refugees in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea have told us that at present the situation is very dangerous for those with black face because they are confused with mercenaries from Libya, "the woman said.
According to figures from the international agency, before the protests broke out there were more than 8,000 refugees and 3,000 asylum seekers in Libya, from countries such as Chad, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and territories Palestinians. Now about 4,500 people, mostly Tunisians, Algerians and Libyans, have left the country bound for Tunisia.
A solidarity fund
addition, EU countries the environment of the Mediterranean Sea called on its EU partners the creation of a special solidarity fund "to address the immigration crisis, as recorded in Italy in recent weeks. This fund would serve to take the "first impact" of the arrival of illegal immigrants.
More than 300,000 immigrants
For his part, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, fears that in the case of a fall of a wave record Libyan anomalous migration between two or three hundred thousand people to the coasts of Europe. "You can expect an exodus of biblical proportions, a problem that no Italian should not be underestimated," said Frattini.
Frattini made the remarks in an interview published by Italian daily Corriere della Sera, which noted that a surge of that magnitude would be ten times the crisis recorded in 1997 with refugees arriving in Albania on Italian shores. The Foreign Minister said that these are estimates downward while explained that the Libyans will not be coming to European shores.
"In Libya, a third of the population is not only Libyan Sahara. We are talking about two and a half million people in the event that crash the system in this country, because they will escape unemployed. Not all (come) to Italy. Greece is much closer and Benghazi Cyrenaica, "said Frattini.
Via 20 Minutes
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