The Italian government has issued new guidelines on immigration to try to stem an influx of illegal immigrants from North Africa, hundreds of whom have been arriving by boat in southern Italy.

The Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, said Italy had for too long been seen as an easy target for immigrants; a firm line would now be drawn between those entering legally and illegally.

At the same time, government sources say the present quota of twenty-thousand migrants a year might be doubled.

There's been unrest recently in detention centres for the immigrants, set up on the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria.