Interior Minister Matteo Salvini
said Monday that Italy was set to deny permission to another
migrant-rescue ship to dock at an Italian port after refusing to
okay the arrival of the Aquarius ship carrying 629 people on
Sunday.
"Today the Sea Watch 3 ship of a German NGO flying a Dutch
flag is off the Libyan coast waiting to take on the umpteenth
load of immigrants to bring to Italy again," Salvini, who is
also deputy premier and leader of the League party, said via
Twitter.
"Italy has stopped bowing its head and obeying, this time
THERE IS SOMEONE WHO SAYS NO. #chiudiamoiporti
(#weareclosingtheports)".
On Sunday Salvini said the Aquarius, which is run by the SOS
Mediterranee NGO and has 123 unaccompanied minors and seven
pregnant women aboard, should head to Malta instead of Italy.
The Maltese authorities said the case was not its
responsibility.
Early on Monday the Aquarius was stationary at sea, 27
nautical miles from Malta and 35 from Italy, awaiting
instructions.
"Early morning prayers onboard #Aquarius. All 629 people
rescued in #Mediterranean are unaware of ongoing diplomatic
standoff," said medical aid NGO MSF, which has personnel on the
Aquarious.
"#MSF urgently requests a swift resolution and a designated
port of safety".
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