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.
