Gentiloni asks EU for more help with migrants - update 2

(ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Monday asked the EU for more funds and air and sea resources to control immigration in the Mediterranean. "It's necessary more than ever that the EU respond in an adequate way, increasing solidarity and sharing of responsibility at a European level," he wrote to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and the other six commissioners set to meet March 4 to discuss immigration.
    Italy has been struggling to cope with migrant flows from militia-plagued Libya.
    EU border agency Frontex's Triton operation is smaller and worse equipped than the now-defunct Italian Mare Nostrum op that saved most migrants until it ended in November.
    Italian Premier Matteo Renzi has ruled out reviving the prohibitively expensive Mare Nostrum and stressed the need to stop the chaos in Libya where the influence of Islamic State (ISIS) is spreading.