Mauritania's government said on Monday it was denying landing rights to a boat carrying about 200 Pakistani migrants which broke down trying to reach Europe.
A Spanish naval vessel towed the boat to its current position in international waters just off Mauritania's northern fishing port of Nouadhibou, but authorities there have refused permission for the boat and its passengers to put ashore. "Mauritania is refusing to authorise the boat to dock," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Mauritania has nothing to do with this boat breaking down, nor with taking charge of those on board," said the statement. Ahmedou Ould Haye of Mauritania's Red Crescent said late on Sunday the boat was lying 20 miles offshore in international waters.
It was believed the boat had set out from Guinea, hundreds of miles to the south, on its way to Spain's Canary Islands, Haye said. Some 30,000 illegal migrants arrived by boat in the Canaries during 2006, mostly looking for jobs. Most migrants are from Mauritania's southern neighbour Senegal or other countries in the region, but some Asian migrants have also used the route into Europe.
Carlos de Francisco, deputy military attaché at Spain's embassy in Mauritania, said the stricken boat's motor had broken down, and that Mauritania had a duty to allow it to dock. "According to the agreements that Spain has signed with Senegal and Mauritania, all boats in danger must be towed to the nearest port," he said. Spain has stepped up its diplomatic and aid ties with West Africa in an attempt to stem the human tide, and has intensified naval patrols in African coastal waters.