Brussels, 11/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - A group of 163 migrants was repatriated to Libya this weekend, after having been rescued in the middle of the Mediterranean. The migrants were rescued on Saturday evening by the Italian navy off the island of Lampedusa and arrived in Libya on Sunday morning. This is the second time in three days that Rome has applied this new direct repatriation policy that has been denounced by human rights organisation, particularly the UN High Commission for Refugees (HCR) (EUROPE 9897). On Saturday, the head of the Italian government, Silvio Berlusconi, defended this new policy and said that it, “complied with European standards, international agreements and did not breach human rights…there is not scandal”. The transfer of migrants to Libya is carried out under the terms of the “treaty of friendship” signed between Libya and Italy in August 2008. Tripoli is committed to fighting illegal immigration and Rome has promised $5bn over 25 years as a compensation package for colonial rule. On Friday 8 May, the European Commission indicated that it needed more details before it could give its opinion on the new practices in Italy. A spokesperson for immigration issues, Michele Cercone underlined that, “at this stage we haven't got all of the facts…We will be checking the situation”. Cercone explained that with regard to whether the Italian navy's action complied with European law, “everything depends on the details” of what happened. A key question that will orientate the response of the Commission is “in what waters was the navy operating?” He also asked whether, “the ship was in distress and had sent out a Mayday message”. It is difficult for us to give a response on EU competence without knowing the exact details”. (B.C./trans/rh)