In the first effect of a deal
recently signed with Italy the Libyan Coast Guard, recently
equipped with Italian vessels, on Wednesday rescued a boat
carrying some 300 migrants and took it back to Tripoli. The
migrants had sent an SOS to the Italian Coast Guard. The boat
was picked up in international waters after previously being
spotted by rescue planes in Libyan waters. After receiving the
two reports, the Italian Coast Guard operations centre in Rome
alerted the Libyan Coast Guard which, unlike in the past, took
command of the rescue operations. Several Tripoli motor boats
set off towards the boat, which was reached in international
waters. Some Libyan Coast Guard staff took over the vessel which
was turned around and taken back into the port of Tripoli.
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