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The nation is crumbling under the strain of the migrant crisis, and was having to handle it alone as EU member states were too busy bickering to come up with a burden sharing programme, proposed by the European Commission last year.

He told German newspaper Bild: Italy is contributing, but we cannot cope with this burden alone.

Asked if Italy had been abandoned by other European nations, Mr Alfano said: A very clear yes.

The European Commissions proposal would see member states contributing to a refugee resettlement plan and asylum fund.

But governments should be looking to Libya as the only solution to decrease the number of migrants reaching Italy, he said.

The Italian MP did not slam Angela Merkels open door refugee policy, even though it lead to a sharp increase in asylum seekers heading to Europe, saying she "was on the right side of the story in 2015".

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Italy is contributing, but we cannot cope with this burden alone

Angelino Alfano

He said the German Chancellor showed leadership, with strength and courage, and noted now most migrants are coming from African countries rather than the Middle East.

Alfano dismissed Austrias threats of sending troops to the border with Italy to stop migrants crossing the border.

He said: This is pure election campaigning, which we do not take seriously.

Our borders are clearly sealed. It is impossible for the migrants to travel to other countries.

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In recent days, Libya banned foreign ships from a stretch of water off its coast, prompting many NGOs to halt their search and rescue missions.

The move was welcomed by the Italian government.

Libya alleged some charities were facilitating illegal migration and working with traffickers to pick up migrants.

One charity, Sea Eye, branded the ban an explicit threat against the private NGOs and the ban would put many lives at risk.

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'We can't cope alone!' Italy says its been abandoned by Europe over migrant crisis - Express.co.uk