Italian lawmakers have approved 10 new patrol boats and two larger ships for the Libyan coast guard, as part of measures by the populist government to control migration.

News agency ANSA reported that the vessels, approved by the Senate on Monday, will be ready to deploy by the end of August.

Human rights groups are increasing protesting against Libyan coast guard rescues, which land the migrants back in the largely lawless country deemed by the European Union not to be a safe haven.

While even the previous government was supporting the Libyan coast guard's efforts to patrol territorial waters, the new populist government has gone one step further, refusing ports to any migrants rescued at sea by humanitarian ships.

The measure to supply boats was approved by a vote of 382-11, with one abstention.