Italy has ignored calls for the continuation of its search and rescue mission for irregular immigrants off the coast of Libya and declared the closure of its Mare Nostrum patrol.

The Italian decision, announced yesterday by Home Affairs Minister Angelino Alfano, will enter into force today when a new EU-led mission codenamed Triton begins.

Although both the EU and several human rights NGOs have warned the new mission coordinated by Frontex is completely different from the Italian search and rescue operation, Rome still decided to wrap up Mare Nostrum.

“Mare Nostrum ends. We have done our duty,” Mr Alfano said yesterday, observing that his government spent €114 million over the past year. There will be a phase in which Mare Nostrum will accompany Triton which will last two months,” he said.

Operation Triton – the largest Frontex-led mission in the Mediterranean though much smaller than Mare Nostrum – will operate in an area 30 kilometres off Sicily and Calabria.

Mare Nostrum ends. We have done our duty

It will not cover the sea strait between Libya, Malta and Sicily where most of the irregular immigrants fleeing Libya are normally saved.

The European Commission yesterday said Triton received contributions of personnel or equipment from a total of 21 countries.

According to international media reports, Malta is among the member states pledging assets.

However, a spokeswoman for Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia would not confirm the island’s participation and what assets are being deployed.

Triton will have a budget of about €3 million a month and it is not clear whether it will be possible to continue next year as the border agency is still to acquire additional funds from the EU’s budget.

Outgoing European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström yesterday said she was hopeful Triton would save lives at sea and contribute to the Italian humanitarian efforts.

The operation has been requested by Italy and was tailor-made to match its needs.