Turkey hosts tripartite talks to stem migration

The migration route from Libya across the Mediterranean, used by thousands seeking a way to get to Europe, was a top issue at a meeting on Friday between the leaders of Turkey, Italy and Libya in Istanbul, Turkey's presidency said.

President Tayyip Erdogan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to discuss migration and other potential cooperation areas, according to a statement issued by the presidency.

"Erdogan pointed to the importance of the cooperation between the three countries against the tests that the Mediterranean basin is facing, including irregular migration flows," it said. "Long-term and sustainable solutions" and multilateral coordination were needed to stop such migration flows, it added.

Major energy exporter Libya is one of the main jumping off points for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.