Berlusconi vows to evacuate African migrants from island

PREMIER Silvio Berlusconi has promised to evacuate the thousands of North African migrants who have overwhelmed the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, earning cheers from residents exasperated by the arrivals.

A navy ship and a commercial ferry arrived in the morning, and at least three more were expected throughout the day to pick up the migrants, said Cosimo Alessandro Nicastro, commander of the Italian Coast Guard. The ships will move some to temporary shelters elsewhere in Italy.

“Within 48 to 60 hours Lampedusa will be inhabited only by Lampedusa residents,” Berlusconi said.