Libyan authorities have been cooperating with Europeans in the field of preventing illegal immigrants from north Africa to Europe.
On Saturday a 25-year-old Eritrean woman arrested in Libya and extradited to face smuggling boatloads of illegal immigrants in Italy.
Ganat Tewelde Barhe was arrested in the Libyan port of Zuwara and immediately flown to Italy to answer charges of bringing up to 500 people into Italy in three boats between June and August last year.
Known as "Madame Gennet," she was held in Civitavecchia prison about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Rome. Police said she charged up to 800 dollars per immigrant.
Italy recently brought in tough new laws to try to stamp out illegal immigration and to punish human traffickers.
Faced with regular illegal arrivals on the southern islands of Sicily, Lampedusa and Pantelleria, Italy last July signed an accord with Libya laying out concrete measures for fighting illegal immigration.
Many boats carrying illegal migrants have sunk en route to Italy, often resulting in the drowning of some or all those on board.
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