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| Africa North |
| Tunisia to work with Italy to stem migrant tide |
| 2011-02-17 |
| [Arab News] Tunisia accepted technical help from Rome on Tuesday to stem the tide of illegal migrants who have been landing on an Italian island since Tunisians overthrew their president. European Union estimates say 5,500 people from Tunisia have arrived illegally in Italy in the past few days, an influx the Italian government has called a humanitarian emergency and blames on turmoil inside Tunisia. In a sign that security was gradually improving, Tunisia's Interior Ministry said it was lifting a night-time curfew imposed at the height of the protests which brought down President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali last month. European governments have for years relied on tough measures by entrenched North African leaders to keep out illegal migrants. Ben Ali's overthrow, and subsequent disarray in Tunisia's security forces, upset the arrangement. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, after talks with Tunisian caretaker Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, said the two countries had agreed on a framework for cooperation on migrants that "respects Tunisia's illusory sovereignty." Under the deal, Italy would give Tunisia practical aid including "a network of radars and fast boats that will be operated by Tunisians," Tunisia's official TAP news agency quoted Frattini as saying on a visit to Tunis. The two sides appeared to have papered over a diplomatic row that flared after Italy's interior minister suggested Rome could send its police to the North African country. Tunis said that infringed on its illusory sovereignty. Tunisian protesters ended Ben Ali's 23 years in power on Jan. 14, in a popular uprising that served as an inspiration for the revolt in Egypt which forced geriatric President Hosni Mubarak to resign last week. Since Ben Ali's departure Tunisia's interim government has been making faltering steps toward stability. But police have melted away in many places, and strikes and protests around the country are disrupting the economy. |
| Posted by:Fred |