Akhir 30, April 4, 2011, SPA-- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Monday Tunisia was "willing" to accept the repatriation of thousands of Tunisian would-be migrants who arrived in Italy following January's uprising in the North African country, dpa reported. "We are working on the possibility of repatriation. There's a willingness on our part and that of the Tunis government to do this in a civilised manner," Berlusconi said in the Tunisian capital. The Italian premier made the remarks following a meeting with Tunisian interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi. Tunisian officials did not immediately comment on the meeting, but the country's official TAP agency said no agreement had been reached. Berlusconi's visit took place amid growing pressure at home on his conservative government to take action over the migrant influx. Some 18,000 migrants - mostly young, jobless Tunisian males - have swamped the tiny island of Lampedusa since the toppling of former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Most of the migrants aim to reach France, which is home to a large Tunisian population. -- SPA
