Italy requests a 'clearer' apology from France

Rome has declared a six-month state of emergency following a rise in migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called for a "clearer" explanation after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had been "lying" about her government's capacity to handle mass migration. Darmanin warned of "extremely severe consequences" for France's bilateral relations with Meloni's government in November after Paris suspended an agreement to take in 3,500 refugees. Italy maintains it has taken in its fair share of migrants. In April, Rome declared a six-month state of emergency following a rise in migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.