Libyan leader seeks €5 billion a year to halt EU-bound migrants

[pampango]

Source: EU Observer



"Tomorrow Europe might no longer be European and might even be black, as there are millions who want to come in," he said, amid other remarks, at a business leaders' event in Italy on Monday (30 August). The EU should consider paying Libya "at least €5 billion a year" for it to stop the migrants, he added.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2008 signed a readmission agreement with Mr Gaddafi aimed at stopping migratory flows and involving a contribution of €5 billion, with Italy keen to Europeanise the financial commitment in the current age of austerity.

Ties between Mr Gaddafi and Mr Berlusconi have grown stronger over the past two years. Politics aside, the two elderly men share a passion for young women, with the Libyan leader famously hiring beautiful female bodyguards for his entourage.

Italy's close ties with Libya have been criticised by human rights groups and the United Nations' refugee agency, which repeatedly flagged up the inhumane and even life-threatening treatment that migrants are subjected to when taken back by Libyan authorities. Mr Berlusconi credited good relations between Italy and Libya "for countering with success the trafficking of illegal migrants from Africa to Europe, controlled by criminal organisations."

Read more: http://euobserver.com/9/30700

[Lagomorph]

1. Looks like piracy is catching on...

in Libya.