Labour MEP Alfred Sant. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Labour MEP Alfred Sant yesterday told a meeting of Socialists and Democrats in Brussels that efforts must be made to stop boats from leaving Libya, as these pose a security threat.

Dr Sant told the S&D group that “the humanitarian problem of migrants leaving Africa to Europe” had now become a security problem.

He said that in the current circumstances all boats should be blocked from leaving the Libyan coast to minimise the threat.

“This tragic death of 900 human beings has shocked all Europe. Following these tragic events in the Mediterranean, Europe can’t keep banking on the hope that a solution to this problem will be found after an agreement is reached between the various parties in Libya,” the former prime minister said.

Instead, Dr Sant called on members of the S&D group to find ways to make sure that all boats remain on the Libyan coast.