Libya says illegal migration to Italy cut by 90%

RABAT (Reuters) - Libya has slashed by 90 percent numbers of African migrants trying to reach Europe illegally by sea since striking a deal with Rome early this year, Interior Minister Salah Rajab al-Masmari said on Monday.

Italy signed a cooperation accord with its former North African colony in February to curb illegal migration across the Mediterranean by setting up joint patrols.

"We are happy to say that we are able to fulfil our commitments to the Italian side by cutting illegal migration by around 90 percent and dismantling and arresting criminal gangs of people smugglers," the state news agency Jana quoted Masmari as saying.

Under the deal, illegal migrants caught by Italian authorities are returned to Libya before being sent back to their home countries. Libya is a popular departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe.

Masmari made the comment at a meeting in Tripoli of top security officials with his Italian counterpart Roberto Maroni.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government has promised to stem illegal migration and pressed the European Union to step up cooperation with Tripoli.

The EU has offered Libya 20 million euros to help it cope with the flow of illegal migrants and strengthen border controls.