Shameful criticism of migrant rescue op says Renzi - update

Rome - There has been "shameful" criticism by anti-immigrant parties like the Northern League of Italy's Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) search-and-rescue operation to avert migrant disasters in the Mediterranean, Premier Matteo Renzi said Friday. He said the op that picks up all comers off rickety boats sailing from North Africa had averted "100" possible recurrences of last year's twin wrecks at the stepping-stone island of Lampedusa that took 400 lives.
    The Navy said Friday some 4,000 migrants have been rescued in the last six days as good weather and increased work by people traffickers swell the flow.
    On Wednesday Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti defended the humanitarian operation patrolling Italy's southernmost borders, saying 27,790 illegal immigrants have been rescued and more than 200 human traffickers arrested.
    Among the thousands the Mare Nostrum task force has rescued while trying to reach Italy by sea from Africa were 3,034 minors, the minister told the Lower House in response to criticism from the Northern League party, which said the funds would be better spent on encouraging businesses.
    The Mare Nostrum operation was set up in October 2013 spearheaded by 782 Italian Navy personnel aboard a flotilla of vessels supported by Carabinieri, Coast Guard, police and Air Force units.
    An increasing proportion of the illegal immigrants to Italy are political refugees, Pinotti added.
    "Two thirds of them qualify to ask for political asylum," she said.
    In all 93% of illegal immigrants pass through Libya on their way to Italy.
    Mare Nostrum is a short-term operation and the EU should do more to help Italy, Pinotto said, adding that Rome will underline that position when Italy takes over the rotating chairmanship of the EU.
    "After the European elections the interlocutors will change since the (European) Parliament and the Commission will be renewed," Pinotti said.