The MT Salamis has arrived in Sicily after the Italian authorities accepted to take on the immigrants who were refused disembarkation in Malta.

Italian Coast Guard Commander Filippo Marini said the Liberian-flagged tanker has arrived off of Sicily, where the migrants will disembark later, the Associated press reports. The European Commission had urged Malta to accept the migrants, including four pregnant women and another requiring medical care.

Malta insists it was acting within its rights under international law to rebuff the tanker, saying Libya was the closest port when the tanker rescued the migrants. The tanker proceeded to Malta despite the Maltese government's instructions to head for Libya.

In a statement issued soon after midnight, the Maltese government had said Italy accepted to take the migrants after lengthy diplomatic discussions involving Italy, Greece and Malta, the Department of Information said.

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-08-07/news/tanker-with-migrants-to-land-in-syracuse-government-2270232576/