ROME, Aug 21 (AFP) - More than 100 undocumented asylum seekers claiming to be Palestinians landed on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa overnight, port officials said Saturday.
The landing illustrated the growing immigration problem for the government as Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi prepared to meet Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on the issue Wednesday.
Berlusconi was expected to seek Libyan cooperation in stemming the tide of immigrants reaching the south of Italy and its Mediterranean islands.
The prime minister is under increasing pressure from the xenophobic wing of his ruling coalition to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The 114 men who arrived by boat in the middle of the night were immediately interned in a reception center for questioning about their identity and nationality.
Many people arriving in Italy state a false nationality in the hope of being able to lodge an appeal for political asylum and remain in the country.
Better weather at this time of year encourages attempts to reach Europe.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan navy arrested 64 Moroccans who were attempting to illegally reach Spain in an inflatable boat, the Moroccan Map news agency said.