Malta has allowed a group of 65 migrants rescued off Libya to disembark on its territory after being denied access to Italian territorial waters.
German NGO Sea-Eye called on Europe to intervene in Italy's hard-line measures, saying "human lives are not a bargaining chip".
After holding talks with the European Commission and German government, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the migrants will be relocated to other parts of the EU.
The Alan Kurdi rescue ship refused to make port in the "unsafe" North African country, saying that international law required those rescued be brought to a safe port.

Ukrainian rescuers clear rubble as Kyiv mourns 30 killed in Russian attack
Clinical trials begin for two potential Ebola treatments
India issues notice to Telegram, Signal on concerns over usernames, source says
Blast at Damascus cafe kills nine, wounds 20
Rebels in Indonesia's Papua kill American pilot, burn plane
Russian air strikes kill 10, injure more than 50 in Ukraine's Kyiv
Firefighters battle wildfire in southern France
US, Iran talks conclude in Doha, focused on Strait of Hormuz
