Defiant smugglers say NOTHING will stop them from bringing illegal migrants to EU
SMUGGLERS who transport migrants across the sea to Europe have said that nothing will stop them from bringing in thousands more – even military force.
As EU leaders approved plans to step up patrols on the Italian coast, those running the illegal journeys said they will not stop.
The summit is also considering military action to "capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers" after a boat capsized last week killing about 850 migrants travelling to Italy.
But one 34-year-old smuggler, who identified himself as Abu Ahmed, said:"Even if the EU threatens to strike our properties, destroy our boats, the issue will not stop. We are not the problem."
The man, who makes thousands of dollars from the scheme each month, told The Times: "The migrants themselves are desperate to cross. Some of them, particularly the Syrians, have started buying their own boats and making the journey alone without our help. You can't stop them."
"The coastline is nearly 2,000 km long. If you target one small section, people will find another patch of beach and more boats to launch. Tell me how they plan to patrol the whole of Libya and stop us?"
The proposed action comes as a Libyan military spokesman warned of the difficulties soldiers face in targetting the heavily-armed smugglers.
He said the country's forces "cannot come close" as the boat crews are equipped with anti-aircraft guns, RPGs and cannons.
Emergency teams are to be deployed to Italy to help register, fingerprint and process applications for refugees' asylum protection.
More support will also be given to Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Mali and Niger to monitor and control their land borders to prevent potential migrants getting to the Mediterranean shore.
