german ngo halts migrant rescue operations off libya
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

German NGO halts migrant rescue operations off Libya

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today German NGO halts migrant rescue operations off Libya

The Libyan navy ordered foreign vessels to stay out of a coastal
Berlin - Arabs Today

The German aid group Sea Eye on Sunday said it was suspending its migrant rescue operations in the Mediterranean, citing security concerns after Libya barred foreign vessels from a stretch of water off its coast.

The announcement comes a day after Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it was halting the use of its largest boat in the area because of an "increasingly hostile environment for lifesaving rescue operations".

In a statement, Sea Eye said it was with "a heavy heart" that it had decided to follow suit after the Libyan government's "explicit threat against the private NGOs".

Tensions have risen since the Libyan navy on Thursday ordered foreign vessels to stay out of a coastal search-and-rescue zone, a measure it said was specifically aimed at non-governmental groups.

Libyan authorities have accused charities of aiding human smugglers with their rescues at sea, hampering efforts to crack down on the illegal migration route.

"Under these circumstances, a continuation of our rescue work is not currently possible. It would be irresponsible towards our crews," Sea Eye founder Michael Buschheuer said.

But he cautioned that the retreat of the aid groups was putting lives at risk.

"We leave behind a deadly gap in the Mediterranean," he warned.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano however welcomed Libya's stepped-up efforts to curb the migrant flow.

The Libyan government "is ready to put in place a search-and-rescue zone in its waters, work with Europe and invest in its coast guards," Alfano told La Stampa daily on Sunday.

"This sends a signal that the balance is being restored in the Mediterranean."

Italy, which has borne the brunt of Europe's migrant crisis this year, has itself moved to rein in NGOs helping the multinational rescue operations by making them sign up to a new code of conduct.

Six years since a revolution that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has become a key departure point for migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

Tens of thousands of migrants have resorted to paying people traffickers for the journey, often on overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.

Migrant aid ships have played a key role in assisting the rescue operations.

Sea Eye says it has helped save some 12,000 lives since April 2016.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

german ngo halts migrant rescue operations off libya german ngo halts migrant rescue operations off libya

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

german ngo halts migrant rescue operations off libya german ngo halts migrant rescue operations off libya

 



GMT 18:03 2016 Sunday ,11 September

Low interest rates are a drag on US bank profits

GMT 10:11 2017 Thursday ,07 December

US lawmakers deny Democrat's bid to impeach Trump

GMT 12:58 2017 Sunday ,15 January

US 'hostility' grows despite nuclear deal

GMT 09:34 2017 Thursday ,19 October

Croatia court orders arrest of retail giant boss

GMT 22:40 2018 Friday ,05 January

Education Minister attends workshop

GMT 16:33 2012 Wednesday ,15 February

Second generation coupe

GMT 12:50 2017 Wednesday ,25 October

Irish star Zebo risks Test future over Racing move

GMT 03:32 2017 Tuesday ,05 December

Sisi vows forceful response after mosque massacre

GMT 12:24 2017 Thursday ,02 February

Egyptians overjoyed by reaching AFCON 2017 final

GMT 19:58 2017 Saturday ,01 April

Lebanese Army Reports New Israeli Breach

GMT 21:24 2017 Thursday ,16 February

S. Korea's ICT Exports Increase in January

GMT 18:42 2017 Sunday ,08 October

Nasr heads for US Wednesday for World Bank meetings

GMT 04:31 2017 Monday ,25 September

Russian general killed fighting IS in east Syria

GMT 08:25 2018 Monday ,10 December

Ardern apologizes to parents of slain backpacker

GMT 14:17 2018 Tuesday ,18 September

Syria welcomes agreement on Idleb announced in Sochi

GMT 12:47 2018 Saturday ,13 January

Cabinet meets in ordinary session

GMT 08:54 2015 Sunday ,13 December

'Youth' dominates European Film Academy awards
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday