(Reuters) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Friday for the European Union to act jointly “with a naval mission if necessary” to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.
Meloni posted a video message on social media promising tough action in response to a surge in migrant arrivals this week which have overwhelmed the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa.
She said she had written to European Council President Charles Michel asking him to put immigration on the agenda of an EU summit in October.
“I intend to reiterate a request for an immediate EU mission to block the departure of migrant boats,” said Meloni, for whom the swelling number of arrivals has become a major political headache.
