Madrid (AFP)

The Spanish government has proposed Sunday to host in the port of Algesiras (extreme south) the boat of the NGO Proactiva Open Arms carrying a hundred migrants, facing the "inconceivable" refusal of Italy to offer a port of reception.

The head of the Spanish government, the Socialist Pedro Sanchez, "ordered today (Sunday) the authorization of the port of Algesiras to receive the boat Open Arms", which is currently facing the Italian island of Lampedusa, in because of the "emergency situation" on board and facing the "inconceivable decision of the Italian authorities to close all their ports", announced the government in a statement.

Madrid made this decision "because of the emergency situation on board after two weeks of sailing", and while the ship is still carrying 105 adults and two children in "unsustainable" conditions, said Open Arms.

"The Spanish ports are neither the nearest nor the safest for the Open Arms", however recognized Madrid, pointing out that if his offer was accepted, the ship would have for several days of navigation before reaching Algesiras.

"But for the moment Spain is the only country willing to welcome it, as part of a European solution," added Madrid.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has, however, issued in a communiqué a final appeal "to the Italian authorities to allow the disembarkation" of migrants.

"The Italian government can be sure that as soon as the migrants have landed, they will be immediately distributed" among the countries that have proposed to host them: France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Spain, adds the text.

In addition, the Spanish government has indicated that it is "considering the possibility of appealing to the European Union or the institutions guaranteeing respect for human rights and international maritime law" to challenge Italy's attitude.

- Explosive situation -

On Friday, Marc Reig, the ship's commander, described an "explosive" situation on board, pointing out that some migrants could "jump into the water" to reach the mainland "by swimming".

"Everyone is psychologically broken, this situation has become unsustainable," he told Spanish television TVE. In a tweet, the NGO mentioned threats of suicide and demanded a general landing for "humanitarian emergency".

Italy's interior minister, right-wing leader Matteo Salvini, then agreed on Saturday to let 27 unaccompanied migrant minors land. But he continues to refuse the landing of the rest of the passengers, despite the commitments of other countries.

"The Commission has had intensive contacts over the past week and we are very grateful for the cooperation of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Spain", commented on Friday. Commission spokeswoman Vanessa Rock.

But "no European country has made formal steps to accommodate migrants on board," say sources at the Italian Interior Ministry, who demand concrete commitments.

- Political crisis -

This umpteenth confrontation between a relief ship and the Italian Minister of the Interior took place this time in the context of the political crisis that is shaking Rome.

On August 8 Salvini shattered the government coalition formed by his political party, the League (far right), with the Five-Star Movement (M5S, antisystem). He called for the speedy organization of elections, while he is credited with 36 to 38 percent of voting intentions in the polls.

But a political front seems to be forming against him, unexpectedly through an alliance between his ex-M5S partner and the Democratic Party (center-left).

Migration policy has taken center stage in this crisis, pending a possible vote of no confidence against the government in the Senate on Tuesday.

For his part, the Spaniard Pedro Sanchez, also in political crisis, was in recent months back on the welcoming migration policy of its beginnings in June. After having collected the Aquarius and its more than 600 migrants, then three times the Open Arms, he had abruptly in August refused to receive the Aquarius again, and had since allowed no arrival of humanitarian ship.

Meanwhile, the ship Ocean Viking, NGOs SOS Mediterranean and Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), was also looking for a port, with 350 migrants on board.

© 2019 AFP