Italy FM demands NATO probe over migrant boat

[August 05, 2011]  ROME (AP) -- Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has urged NATO to formally investigate reports that an alliance warship failed to come to the rescue of a boat stranded off Libya on which as many as 100 migrants died.

The Italian coast guard rescued many passengers Thursday night but there were reports that as many as 100 others died from lack of water and food after the boat was stranded for five days with engine problems.

Frattini on Friday demanded an investigation. He says NATO should also consider civilians fleeing on rickety boats to be part of the U.N. resolution that allows military action to protect civilians in Libya. NATO links its bombing campaign to that resolution.

[Associated Press]

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