Migrants standoff continues at sea as Malta, Italy exchange barbs on the internet

Malta and Italy took their quarrel over a vessel with 239 migrants to Twitter again on Sunday, with Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia replying in kind to taunts by an Italian minister and saying it was Italy’s refusal to take them that was inhumane. His comments come after Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli criticised Malta on his Facebook page as the MV Lifeline drifted off Malta.   Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has defended his government's position not to take in the migrants' boat, noting that the migrants aboard the vessel were picked up between Libya and Lampedusa. The operation was initially handled by the Rome Rescue Centre, with the Libyan authority assuming responsibility of the SAR cases. But he also said on Sunday that nothing would be gained by duelling on social media.   Sig Toninelli said on Facebook “the inhumanity of Malta is the mirror of Europe's attitude”. Reacting, Dr Farrugia said on Twitter that Toninelli had remained silent when the Lifeline was in Libya’s Search and Rescue Area and when it was close to Lampedusa. It was only when the vessel entered Malta’s SAR waters that he spoke up. “Why weren’t they immediately allowed in by Italy, which...