France, Germany and Italy on Tuesday reached an agreement to take in nearly 200 migrants after they were forced to stay at sea, some for 11 days, while the rescue ships searched for a safe port.
It came after aid agencies had urged European countries to agree a coordinated disembarkation process for humanitarian ships operating in the Mediterranean.
Some 104 survivors had been "left in limbo on the deck of a rescue ship" after being rescued off the Libyan coast on October 18 by the Ocean Viking, which is chartered by SOS Mediterranee in partnership with Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Around 50 patients were treated for sea sickness and several patients for respiratory infections.
As well as the Ocean Viking's passengers, the rescue boat Alan Kurdi, operated by German group Sea Eye, had been looking for a safe port. It saved 90 migrants who got into difficulty in the Mediterranean on Saturday and had warning shots fired towards it from masked Libyan gunmen on boats.
MSF’s head of mission Michael Fark said: “We are relived and appreciate that France, Germany and Italy have finally found a solution”.
But Mr Fark expressed his frustration that offers for help were not forthcoming from more European states.
“It’s disappointing that only three states were part of this solution,” he said, adding that “all European states must live up to their principles.”
“These prolonged, inhumane standoffs must not continue,” he added.
“In the past four months, several European leaders met on three occasions (in Paris, Malta and Luxembourg) showing a will to establish a temporary disembarkation and distribution mechanism for people rescued in the Central Mediterranean,” said Louise Guillaumat, deputy director of SOS Mediterranee’s operations.
Her statement refers to plans discussed earlier in October by some EU states to run a pilot project for six months to develop a disembarkation system respecting international law.
“Yet today, 104 survivors are once again left in limbo on the deck of a rescue ship with no solution for their disembarkation in sight, adding to their suffering after being rescued from distress at sea. Europe can and should show more solidarity towards its coastal States,” she added.
The Ocean Viking had requested a place of safety to Italian and Maltese authorities but was not assigned one. Libya has said the port at its capital Tripoli should be a place of safety, but the Ocean Viking said no. It says no port in Libya can be considered acceptable under international law.
MSF officials said every patient it had seen at its clinic had reported being a victim or witness to violence or sexual assault at some point in their journey.
Many survivors said they had been trapped in Libya for many years, some saying they fled because of a surge in violence in April
Ms Guilaumat said there could not be a return to a “one-off” and “ad-hoc” approach over the last 16 months.
“Unnecessary standoffs will only end if a broader coalition of willing European countries come together to support countries of disembarkation without further delay,” she added.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
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SPECS
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The%20Sandman
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STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
More coverage from the Future Forum
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
World Series
Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)
* if needed
Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
