Lampedusa, Italy, May 8, 2011
The Italian coast guard helps Libyan refugees who are bound for the island of Lampedusa in the early hours of May 8. Coast guard officials said one rescued vessel had more than 500 people onboard. Tens of thousands of migrants have fled the unrest in North Africa since January, with most arriving on Lampedusa, the nearest Italian port to Africa.

• The Battle for Libya