Armed smugglers threatened Italian Coast Guard rescuing migrants off the coast of Libya

Migrants wait to disembark from a tug boat after being rescued in the Pozzallo harbor, Sicily, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. An Italian government official says four smugglers brandishing Kalashnikovs threatened an Italian Coast Guard motorboat that had just rescued migrants off the coast of Libya, where the security is rapidly deteriorating. Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi said the gunmen had sped to the scene Sunday afternoon aboard a small boat some 50 miles (80 kilometers) off Libyan shores. After threatening the Coast Guard rescuers who had taken aboard the migrants, three of the smugglers jumped aboard the then-empty migrants' boat to reclaim it and took off. In all, nearly 2,200 migrants were rescued in several operations Sunday, the Coast Guard said. They were being taken to Italian ports. (AP Photo/Francesco Malavolta) (The Associated Press)

ROME – An Italian government official says four smugglers brandishing Kalashnikovs threatened a Coast Guard motorboat involved in one of several operations that rescued more than 2,000 migrants leaving Libyan shores in one day.

Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi said the gunmen used a small boat Sunday to speed to the scene some 50 miles (80 kilometers) off the coast of Libya, where security is rapidly deteriorating.

After threatening the rescuers who had taken aboard the migrants, three of the smugglers jumped onto the then-empty migrants' boat and took off with it.

Nearly 2,200 migrants were rescued in several operations Sunday, the Coast Guard said. They were being taken to Italian ports. Hundreds were also rescued Saturday.

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi is pressing for U.N. intervention to stem the violence in Libya.