Police chief Franco Gabrielli said
Monday that ships involved in the rescue of asylum seekers in
the Mediterranean will not be allowed to dock in Sicily until
after this month's G7 summit in Taormina.
He said the move, which kicks on Monday and runs until May
28, "derives from the need to not put a burden on the police
involved in summit security".
Gabrielli said the ships carrying rescued asylum seekers
would be diverted to ports in other regions in this period.
On Sunday Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said the armed
forces were making a big contribution.
"There are 7,000 armed-service officials who help the
Carabinieri (police) and (State) police with anti-terrorism
measures and around 3,000 will be deployed for the G7," she
said.
Pinotti added that "our defence forces are recognised the
world over as among the world's best and we should be proud of
them because there are great professionals who know how to
relate to populations they must help and restore stability where
there is conflict.
"And it is a defence that is called to defend our country at
a time when the security challenges are many".
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