Brussels, 21/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Libya has an important role to play in the fight against illegal immigration because of its influence within the African Union, Franco Frattini said on Monday. “Libya is a key player. It can play a facilitating role given its political capacity. It can also play a role in patrolling the Mediterranean (…). Libya can play a role with the countries of origin of illegal migrants”, the Immigration Commissioner told Reuters in the run-up to the ministerial conference that is to be held on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Tripoli (see EUROPE 9310). Given Libya's influence within the African Union, as well as the “very pan-African leadership attitude” of its leader, Muammar Ghaddafi, the Commissioner gave his assurance that this country could do positive work in the fight against illegal immigration. Frattini also pointed out that, in Tripoli, he would call on EU Member States to help Libya patrol its southern border in order to arrest migrants, by sending vehicles and uniforms. On the other hand, however, he did not want the verdict in the case concerning the Bulgarian healthcare workers and the Palestinian doctor, or cooperation with the UN Agency for Refugees, to be preconditions for EU/Libya cooperation when it comes to migration management. (bc)