Italy's populist government thanks Albania for taking part of refugees

The Italian government allowed the descent of 150 immigrants from Eritrea for weeks stranded at sea. The decision was made as Prime Minister Salvin said, as Albania will host 20 of them -- 25 Ireland and the rest of the Catholic Church. The Italian government's number two thanked Albania for its assistance.

Italy on Sunday allowed to land the 150 immigrants on a Dicciotto rescue ship, which remained anchored for five days at a Sicilian port, thus ending the difficulties of immigrants and the clash between the Italian government and its EU partners.

Migrants, mainly from Eritrea, had been stranded in the port of Catania since Monday after the government refused to allow them out of the boat until other EU states agreed to take some of them.

Italian Interior Minister Mateo Salvini has said Albania has agreed to take 20 of the immigrants and Ireland 2025, while the rest will be sheltered by the Italian Catholic Church without any cost to Italian taxpayers, tch broadcasts.

Salvin, who has led an anti-imgration campaign since the government took office in June, also announced that he was put under investigation by a Sicilian prosecutor for abuse of office, hostage keeping and unlawful arrest.

My sub-investigation under investigation because I've defended Italian rights, it's a disaster”, he said. On Saturday, the UN appealed for reasoning on all sides following a meeting of envoys from 10 EU states in Brussels, a day earlier that had failed to reach an agreement.

Rome has refused to co-operate despite criticism by rightist groups and opposition, with Salvin saying he considers the attacks it has faced as an honorary medal.

The only aid from within the bloc arrived late Saturday from Ireland, which agreed to receive 2025 immigrants, following an earlier promise by Albania to shelter 20 of them. The Italian foreign minister named Albania's offer a major signal of solidarity and a friendship Italy highly values.