Frontex Med patrols to start 'in the coming days'

Frontex anti-immigration patrols in the central Mediterranean are due to start in the coming days, Frontext said today. Operation Nautilus 2008 hadbeen held uu owing to disagreement between the participating states over where illegal migrants picked up as sea should be landed.

"After discussions, rules regarding the disembarkation of persons rescued at sea during the operation will remain the same as in last year’s operation. Migrants saved in the Libyan Search and Rescue Area (SAR) will be taken to Libya, and, when that is not possible, to the closest safe heaven," Frontex said.

The agency said the main aim of Nautilus 2008 is to strengthen the control of the Central Mediterranean maritime border using units of several Member States and to support Maltese authorities in interviews with immigrants.