TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia has sternly rejected an Italian offer to send police to the North African country to help tackle waves of illegal migrants fleeing political upheaval, saying Monday it would fight any attack on its sovereignty. More than 4,000 migrants have landed on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa this week, fleeing uncertainty in Tunisia following massive street protests and the ouster of longtime dictator Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali. Although the situation has calmed down, sporadic unrest persists in some areas of the Mediterranean country.
Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said Italy could send "our contingents, who can patrol the coasts," as well as patrol boats and other equipment. Maroni also said he wants the European Union to step in to deal with what he has described as a "biblical exodus," and he is urging the bloc to hold a special meeting to devise an immigration strategy.
In a statement carried on the Tunisian state news agency TAP, the country's Foreign Ministry said it categorically rejected the offer and expressed "astonishment" about it. It also said it would fight any foreign "interference in its domestic affairs or any attack on its sovereignty."
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini was heading to Tunis later Monday to discuss the exodus with the Tunisian interim prime minister.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was also in Tunisia for meetings with officials of the interim government set up after a month of deadly protests forced the president of 23 years into exile a month ago.
Tunisia is planning an international conference seeking economic and political support for the changes ahead, including elections. Regional Development Minister Nejib Chebbi has said damage during the unrest cost Tunisia some €2.5 billion ($3.37 billion).
Tunisia's "people's revolution" sparked unrest around the Arab world, and notably set the stage for the ouster last week of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak.
