Ban Ki-Moon avoids comment on spat with Italy

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said today that he was not in a position to intervene in the issue between Malta and Italy on the destination of rescued migrants since the matter had been resolved "amicably" between the two countries.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille this afternoon, Mr Ban avoided comment, when asked, about whether Italy had acted in line with international conventions when it initially refused permission for the migrants to land in Lampedusa, after having been rescued off the Italian island.

He said that as UN Secretary General, he was calling for good treatment of refugees and asylum seekers according to international humanitarian laws. As to other issues relating to relocation or transfer of refugees, Mr Ban said these issues should be discussed between the countries and the UNHCR would give a helping hand, as it had been doing in the past.