Three illegal immigrant families who were given protection in Malta left today to start a new life in Portugal.

The government said this was the result of a 'responsibility-sharing' agreement reached with Portugal in October.

"Malta has always given its contribution to safeguard the needs of all those meriting protection despite its own limited resouces" the government said in a statement.

It recalled that in July 2005 it made an international appeal for assistance. A number of migrants have since been transferred to the United States, Holland, Germany, Ireland and Lithuania.

The Malta Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees assisted in the selection of the families and prepared them for life in Portugal.

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