Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi has asked for 5 Billion Euros in aid from the European Union in order to fight illegal immigrants travelling into Europe through Italy.

Thousands of people try to enter Europe every year, while travelling through hazardous conditions, in minute boats that are provided by human traffickers. It has been found that many people using illegal ways have lost their lives during this ordeal.

Libya's most important foreign trade partner, Italy is the gateway for illegal immigrants entering Europe from Africa as it happens to be the bordering nation with Libya. Italy has earlier been criticized for handing over illegal immigrants to Libyan authorities without proper verification of their antecedents.

In a speech on his visit to Italy, Gaddafi had stated that in order to stop Europe from turning into Africa serious measures would have to be taken, as there are millions of millions of Africans who would risk their lives to reach the shores of Italy.

Figures from the European Commission reveal that there were 7,300 people who were caught trying to enter Italy illegally in the year 2007, as compared to 35,052 in the year 2008.

Italy and Libya, who have forged a good relationship over the past two years post a friendship treaty was signed between the two, have been using their navies for jointly patrolling the waters of the Mediterranean Sea in order to curb illegal immigration.