Deputy Premier and Interior
Minister Matteo Salvini on Wednesday said he has the authority
to decide on migrant landings.
"The interior minister has national authority over public
security and must authorize landings", Salvini, who is the
League party's leader, told State broadcaster Radio1's program
'Radio anch'io'.
"I have all the authority to decide.
"The port is assigned by the interior minister, whether you
like it or not, Italians pay me to defend them and I am doing
it".
Commenting amid reported tension with members of the military
and the defense ministry after a directive issued by the
interior ministry on Tuesday aimed at dealing with illegal
immigration and terrorists possibly arriving from war-torn
Libya, Salvini said he had "no time to respond to
controversies".
Salvini also said the risk of terrorists infiltrating
migrant boats from North Africa is a "certainty".
"This is why I need to stress that no landings are allowed in
Italy", he said.
"There are no arrivals without a permit".
He added that "this year we have cut down by 92% arrivals by
sea and halved the number of dead and missing.
"Clearly, a serious and rigorous policy gives results".
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