The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has rejected allegations that Europe is facing a wave of refugees from northern Africa.
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In an interview with the Sonntag newspaper Jakob Kellenberger said the influx was not a refugee problem but a migration issue.
He said it would be helpful if politicians made the distinction between people who leave their countries for economic reasons and persecuted people who have a right to asylum according to the Geneva refugee convention.
Kellenberger said he was very concerned about the situation in Syria and warned of further violence in Ivory Coast despite the arrest of the deposed president, Laurent Gbagbo.
He added that the ICRC last week visited more than 150 detainees in Libya. The Swiss-run humanitarian organisation on Friday announced the opening of a permanent office in the capital, Tripoli.
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ICRC establishes permanent office in Tripoli
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A team of four specialists in health matters, logistics and detention-related activities will coordinate aid work in the west of the country and go back to the cities of Misrata and Zawiyah, a statement said. The ICRC received permission to open its office from the Libyan government earlier this week. The aid organisation plans to…
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The Geneva-based organisation added on Saturday that its aid workers were on the way to Zawiyah, 60 kilometres west of the Libyan capital Tripoli. “We are sending the ship to support Misrata’s main hospital, by delivering enough medical supplies to treat 300 patients with weapon injuries on the spot,” Jean-Michel Monod, head of the ICRC…
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Tension is rising as the forces of the elected president, Alassane Ouattara, are poised to force his rival, Laurent Gbagbo, to step down. Reports say United Nations and French forces are preparing to attack the presidential palace on Tuesday after launching full assaults on the residence of the entrenched leader, the republican guard, two major…
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The Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral and independent organization whose mission is to protect victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It also directs and coordinates international relief activities in situations of conflict.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.