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Migrant crisis: EU summit seeks action plan with Libya Migrant crisis: EU leaders agree plan to stop Libya influx
(35 minutes later)
European Union leaders are meeting in Malta to discuss how to stem the influx of migrants from North Africa. European Union leaders meeting in Malta have agreed on a plan to reduce the flow of migrants from Libya.
Boosting the Libyan coastguard and tackling people smugglers are the main proposals. Libya's UN-backed government will receive €200m ($215m, £171m), including funding to reinforce its coastguard.
Most of the thousands who make the dangerous crossing over the Mediterranean to Italy are from African countries.
The EU hopes Libya will be better able to disrupt people-smuggling networks and turn back migrant boats.
But human rights groups have voiced concern at the EU's strategy.
Hundreds of thousands of migrants try to reach Europe each year. Many of them drown while crossing the Mediterranean.Hundreds of thousands of migrants try to reach Europe each year. Many of them drown while crossing the Mediterranean.
On Thursday, Italy's coastguard said more than 1,750 migrants had been rescued in the Mediterranean within 24 hours.On Thursday, Italy's coastguard said more than 1,750 migrants had been rescued in the Mediterranean within 24 hours.
What does the agreement say?
In their declaration on migration, the 28 EU leaders said: "A key element of a sustainable migration policy is to ensure effective control of our external border and stem illegal flows into the EU."
The plan includes:
The declaration says the EU remains committed to an earlier deal with Turkey which came into force last March and resulted in a sharp reduction of migrants travelling to northern Europe from Syria via the Balkans.
However, analysts say a similar result is unlikely in the immediate term in the central Mediterranean because of the continuing instability in Libya.
They warn that reliable partners in Libya are hard to find and that shutting existing routes might simply lead to the opening of new ones.
Why are rights groups concerned?
Some groups accuse the EU of making Libya seem safe and abandoning humanitarian values. They cite bad conditions in reception camps and continuing dangers faced by migrants.
"Libya is not a safe place and blocking people in the country or returning them to Libya makes a mockery of the EU's so-called fundamental values of human dignity and rule of law," the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said.
Amnesty International tweeted that the agreement would cause "horrendous suffering".
Why are the migrants coming?Why are the migrants coming?
Most of those arriving in Italy from Libya come from a range of African countries, some fleeing persecution, many seeking a better life.Most of those arriving in Italy from Libya come from a range of African countries, some fleeing persecution, many seeking a better life.
Migrants have fled Nigeria, for example, because of the instability in the north caused by the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram. In Eritrea, many flee to escape military service which can last for decades and was compared in a UN report to slavery.Migrants have fled Nigeria, for example, because of the instability in the north caused by the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram. In Eritrea, many flee to escape military service which can last for decades and was compared in a UN report to slavery.
More than 180,000 migrants arrived in Italy last year, and more than 4,500 drowned trying to get there.More than 180,000 migrants arrived in Italy last year, and more than 4,500 drowned trying to get there.
No relief in migrant crisis for ItalyNo relief in migrant crisis for Italy
Libyan gateway Why is Libya a problem?
Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has lacked any effective central government and security has been in the hands of various local factions.Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has lacked any effective central government and security has been in the hands of various local factions.
A UN-brokered government, headed by PM Fayez al-Seraj, has only limited control over the country and people smugglers have found it easy to operate.A UN-brokered government, headed by PM Fayez al-Seraj, has only limited control over the country and people smugglers have found it easy to operate.
Libya, thanks to its proximity to Europe and instability, has become a centre for people trafficking from Africa.Libya, thanks to its proximity to Europe and instability, has become a centre for people trafficking from Africa.
Migrants who arrive from Libya tell of violence and trauma.Migrants who arrive from Libya tell of violence and trauma.
What is the EU proposing?
Most migrants were making their way into northern Europe from Syria via the Balkans, until an EU-Turkey deal to tackle the crisis came into effect last March.
This saw a significant reduction in the number of migrants using that route.
But the instability in Libya rules out a similar deal for migrants from Africa.
"There will be no bazooka," an EU official told Reuters.
However, the EU is proposing bolstering the Libyan coastguard with training and equipment to help it prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean on rickety boats.
It also wants tougher action against the smuggling gangs, the humanitarian repatriation of migrants who have had asylum requests refused, and improved conditions for migrants.
The European Commission is proposing an extra €200m ($215m, £171m) in 2017 to help reduce the flow.
The EU already has a military presence in international waters off Libya to target people smugglers, and the idea is to increase support for this.
But experts warn that reliable partners in Libya are hard to find and that shutting existing routes might simply lead to the opening of new ones.
Italy, which now bears the brunt of the influx wants the whole EU to share the burden.
"If we want to give real strength and legs to managing migration flows, then there needs to be an economic commitment by the whole of the EU," said Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni said after meeting Mr al-Seraj in Rome on Thursday.
The two signed a memorandum of understanding on increasing co-operation in prevent people trafficking.
EU Council President Donald Tusk, speaking before the meeting in Malta, said that breaking smuggling rings and stopping perilous sea journeys "is the only way to stop people dying in the desert and at sea, and this is also the only way to gain control over migration in Europe".
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.