Libya stops boats, Malta and Italy dig in over standoff

African migrants float on a wooden boat next to a rescue ship during a search and rescue operation conducted by SOS Mediterranee's Acquarius ship and MSF (Doctors Without Borders) NGOs. Photo / AP

Libya's coastguard has intercepted 180 migrants, including women and children, in the Mediterranean Sea, a day after stopping more than 150 refugees and migrants on two other boats.

Meanwhile, a standoff between Italy and Malta over a boat of refugees and migrants continued.

Libya said the latest boat to be intercepted, whose passengers included 31 women and 12 children, was stopped off the coast of the western town of Khoms.

The migrants were taken to a naval base in Tripoli.

Malta, meanwhile, accused Italy yesterday of violating international norms by instructing a migrant rescue ship with 629 people aboard to stay at sea while a diplomatic standoff plays out over where it can dock.

Italy refused to let the humanitarian ship dock at its ports on Sunday and has asked Malta to open its doors to the vessel.

Malta brushed off the request, saying it had nothing to do with the rescue operation. The move by Italy's new Interior Minister, Matteo Salvini, who is also head of the far-right League, represents an opening gambit to make good on his electoral promises to halt the flow of migrants into the country.

More than 600,000 migrants have reached Italy by boat from Africa in the past five years.

Libya was plunged into chaos following a 2011 uprising. The chaos has made it a popular route to Europe for migrants fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East.

Libya has worked to stem the flow of migrants, with European assistance.

- AP