Steinmeier says without stability in Libya difficult to solve migration

BRUSSELS, May 18 (KUNA) -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier Monday praised Jordan and Lebanon for their support to Syrian refuges and called for stability in Libya to deal with the influx of illegal migrants from Africa to Europe.
Steinmeier, who has just returned from a visit to Lebanon and Jordan, told reporters in Brussels that: "I have seen how these neighbouring countries which are economically weaker than the EU show so much solidarity with Syrian refugees, taking them in by the millions." Speaking ahead of a EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, he said they will discuss with the EU defence ministers here today whether there should be a naval mission in the Mediterranean to stop illegal migration.
"Just three weeks ago, almost 1,000 people drowned in a big tragedy in the Mediterranean, people who were running away from different African countries, searching for the way to Europe," he said. "But it is clear that a response to these migratory pressures will not work without a stabilisation of Libya. Thus, we need a stronger involvement in the countries of origin of the refugees, and the establishment of a government in Libya," he said.
On his part, Philip Hammond, British Foreign Secretary said his country is already contributing assets to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.
"We have to do work in the countries of origin, to make sure that the push factors are reduced. We have to do work to deal with the criminal trafficking gangs, we have to do work in Libya, to stop people at the point of embarkation," he said.
"What we need to do today is to put together a complete programme, with a plan for getting the Libyan authorities to agree to work with us and then a UNSC resolution to back it," he added. (end) nk.hm