70 Moroccans repatriated

Seventy Moroccans who had entered the island illegally in June were flown back to their homeland late on Saturday night, Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela said.

This is the first time such a large number of irregular immigrants were repatriated at one go.

"Morocco had wanted to take 15 at a time. However, thanks to the diplomacy of Foreign Minister Michael Frendo all 70 were repatriated," Mr Abela said when contacted.

The Moroccans had arrived on June 27 on a boat with one of the biggest number of immigrants to enter Malta at one go - 266. The vessel was also carrying a number of Egyptians who were repatriated last month.

Mr Abela added that the efforts of Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Police Commissioner John Rizzo had been instrumental in the repatriation.

Four other Moroccans who arrived on the Spanish trawler Francisco y Catalina last month will be repatriated soon.

Mr Abela said that Malta was waiting for the documents of these Moroccans and once these were in hand they will be sent back home.

Currently there are 1,330 illegal immigrants in Malta's detention centres.