Protests against detention

Police, soldiers injured in Malta migrants riot, Reuters reports:

200 illegal immigrants rioted on the Mediterranean island of Malta on Tuesday and injured three policemen and two soldiers when security forces stopped them marching on the prime minister's office. The group was intercepted at Paola, six miles (10 km) from the capital Valletta, by hundreds of policemen and soldiers, some wearing riot gear, and pushed back to the detention centre two miles away at Safi near the international airport.

The injuries were caused mostly by stones thrown by the migrants, protesting their detention. Four migrants were also injured. None of the injuries were serious, police said. Malta detains illegal migrants for up to 18 months to discourage further landings and prevent distortion in its labour sector.

Also on Tuesday, the Maltese armed forces said a patrol boat had rescued 266 illegal immigrants whose launch was stranded on a tuna net fishing line 110 km southeast of Malta. The group, due to arrive in Malta early on Wednesday, will be the biggest to arrive on the island this year. The army said the migrants had initially refused assistance and wanted to sail on to Sicily in Italy, but were persuaded to board the Maltese patrol craft. Some were suffering dehydration.

More from EUObserver.com and from The Gulf Times; Bob Geldof on the Malta situation.