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.

The European Commission appears to endorse Greek government plans to suspend some applications for asylum, in what civil society describe as a clear violation of EU and international law.

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.

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,

In a significant shift in migration policy, Greece is implementing stringent new measures to deter irregular flows, particularly from Libya.

Authorities in eastern Libya have refused entry to three European ministers and the EU commissioner for migration on alleged entry violations.

Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, received Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis on Monday during an official visit marked by high-stakes political and economic talks.