Migrants: Greater UN involvement needed - Meloni

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 17 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Sunday that greater involvement of the United Nations in facing the migrant emergency is "absolutely necessary" as she visited Lampedusa with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
    Both Meloni and von der Leyen will take part in the UN General Assembly in new York this week.
    Meloni also thanked the people of Lampedusa for the way they have responded to the arrival of large numbers of migrants every day.
    There were moments of tension earlier on Sunday when a group local people staged a protest that blocked the way of the convoy taking Meloni and von der Leyen from the island's airport to its migrant hotspot.
    Talks calmed the situation and the locals to cleared the road.
    "I thank the people of Lampedusa, with whom we spoke this morning," Meloni said.
    "They have always faced up to a difficult situation.
    "We keep meeting responsible, very nice people. I was pleased to meet them, to talk to them.
    "We are committed to making conditions on the island better. We have already done this with 45 million euros (in funding) to help them cope with the difficulties. I want to thank them for welcoming us at this difficult time". (ANSA).