Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya.

Greece intercepts over 500 migrants near Crete, taking emergency actions due to rising Mediterranean crossings from Libya. The influx has overwhelmed local facilities, prompting the suspension of asylum processing for three months.

Athens suspends asylum requests from North Africa amid rising migrant arrivals and tensions with Libyan authorities following EU delegation’s rejected visit to Benghazi.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s government said Wednesday it is temporarily suspending asylum applications for migrants arriving on the island of Crete, following a spike in arrivals from Libya.

Greek lawmakers are set to vote on new legislation temporarily halting asylum applications from North Africa amid a surge in migrants. Human rights groups have condemned the move as illegal. The measure comes as Greece seeks to control migration,

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with Eastern Libya leader Khalifa Haftar and discussed migrant flows and maritime zones.

Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday that Greece would suspend asylum processing for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa for three months. View on euronews

His son, Belkacem Haftar – head of the Organization for Reconstruction and Development and the official who met with Greek Foreign Minister G. Gerapetritis last Sunday – invited the Greek Consul General in Benghazi, A. Kalognomis, to his home on Wednesday evening to discuss bilateral cooperation planning.