Rescued immigrants to be taken to Sicily, officials say (Roundup)

May 11, 2009, 13:25 GMT

Valletta, Malta - An Italian ship is on its way to Sicily Monday with 69 rescued would-be illegal immigrants after it was refused permission to enter Maltese territorial waters, officials told the German Press Agency dpa.

The group of immigrants, which includes 16 women, is being taken to Porto Empedocle, Maltese officials said.

The ship picked up the group off Lampedusa early Monday morning but its request to take them to Malta was turned down by Maltese officials who insisted they are taken to the closest port - in Lampedusa.

Over the past month, Malta and Italy have been trading accusations of abandoning their obligations at sea. Both countries say they cannot deal with the problem of people fleeing Africa.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Sunday that over the past week, Italy had repatriated to Libya more than 500 immigrants rescued from the sea, a statement which has infuriated human rights organisations.