Italian authorities are struggling to cope with a crisis on the tiny island of Lampedusa after thousands of migrants arrived from Tunisia.
A holding centre designed for 850 people is reported to be overflowing.
Tunisia is refusing to let Italy deploy police on its territory.
More than 4,000 migrants are reported to have arrived on Lampedusa in the past few days. EU foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton is now in Tunis to discuss the issue.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini is also expected in Tunis later on Monday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12446555
Note: Update Record,14 February 2011 Last updated at 11:52 GMT