Italy's former interior minister, Marco Minniti has called on Europe to use its financial influence to push for a unified government in Libya.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Foglio, Minniti said there is a competition for influence in Africa, as Russia is present in Mali, China in West Africa, and Turkey in Libya.

"Europe must act in unity as the presence of Russia and China in Africa is not a coincidence." He said.

Regarding the irregular migration crisis, the former Italian official acknowledged that Libya is not a state of departure for migrants, but a country of transit, while having two administrations running the northern African country compounds the situation even further.

He demanded that detention centres must be closed through an EU and UN plan that would establish a legal humanitarian corridor.

Minniti emphasized the need to review the migration risks, highlighting that Italy has recently crossed the political and psychological threshold of about 100,000 arrivals on its territory.

"The number of immigrants continues to increase, as, by the next year, we may reach 150,000 cases bringing us to the rates of 2015."

Minniti underscored the need for an immediate European response with a plan for Africa and a new law on immigration in Italy.

He called for Europe to join its shoulders and invest in a plan that rests on three main pillars, including supporting economic growth in Africa, preserving its social fabric, and committing to the welfare of its people.