(ANSA) - Rome, August 23 - Interior Minister Matteo Salvini
said Thursday all 148 migrants on board the coast guard ship
Diciotti were illegals and that he responded to the Italian
people as he pursued an Australian-style immigration policy.
"My objective is the Australian No Way," he said.
"They are all illegal immigrants on the Dicotti."
"Italy is no longer Europe's refugee camp".
With my authorisation on the Diciotti, no one gets off".
Salvini said he responded to a mandate given by Italians in
the March general election amid the row over the 148 migrants he
is keeping aboard the Diciotti until the EU agrees to
redistribute them.
"I respond to the mandate which the Italians gave me on March
4," said the leader of the anti-migrant Euroskeptic League
party.
"They are asking me for more security".
Salvini has faced off against House Speaker Roberto Fico, of
his ruling partner the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S),
who says the migrants should be let off the boat and then EU
agreement sought.
Salvini said Thursday Fico has done the "opposite" of the
M5S in urging migrants aboard a coast guard ship to be allowed
to land.
"I'm working very well with (M5S leader) Luigi Di Maio," said
Salvini.
"Others have a lot of time to speak, I'm thinking of the
House Speaker, who every so often says and does the exact
opposite of other M5S exponents.
"It's a problem that they will resolve".
An Agrigento prosecutor is probing the case for alleged
abduction.
The migrants have been aboard the Diciotti for a week and in
Catania harbour for three days.
Some 29 migrant children were allowed to disembark on
Wednesday night.
Australia pushes back migrant boats from Asia to islands
north of Australia.
Diciotti migrants illegal, I respond to Italians - Salvini
Aiming for Australian-style immigration policy