Rome, 15 May-(ANA)-The Italian government has given Libya three patrol boats as part of a deal aimed at combating the flow of illegal migrants making the crossing to Italy.
The agreement between Tripoli and Rome to maintain joint naval patrols in the Mediterranean was signed earlier this month and comes into force on Friday.
Libya has been a major staging post for migrants from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa wanting to reach Europe.
Nearly 37,000 immigrants landed on Italian shores last year.
On Thursday, the Italian government passed a law which would impose fines of up to 10,000 euros ($13,000) on illegal immigrants and jailing for up to three years people who let them accommodation.
President Giorgio Napolitano later warned against a "rhetoric that does not hesitate to incorporate intolerant and xenophobic tones". (ANA)
