Valletta, Malta  - EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot made a "solemn appeal" for Europe-wide solidarity Saturday in an attempt to help Malta deal with illegal immigration problems.

Barrot was in Malta as part of a fact-finding mission into conditions faced by illegal immigrants, mostly Africans, who try to enter the EU by reaching the island.

The commissioner inspected the detention camps on the Mediterranean island and heard immigrants explain their plight. Displaying banners calling for freedom, the migrants gave a noisy reception, and appealed for better conditions as Barrot approached them.

The tour came after a similar visit of immigrant camps on Lampedusa, an Italian island, by Barrot.

Barrot told reporters that after this visit it had become clear to him that Malta cannot keep taking more migrants without facing insurmountable problems.

A parliamentary committee highlighted the frustration being felt by Maltese citizens, who cite EU inaction on the matter. It also highlighted the fact that the situation is fuelling unprecedented levels of xenophobia.

Barrot said he understood the citizens' reported fear of a 'silent invasion,' but warned parliamentarians not to be overly pessimistic.

He said the present conditions, particularly at the closed centres, were substandard. He pledged more EU assistance.

Medicins Sans Frontiers announced it was halting its services to Malta's detention centres on Friday to protest what it described as the "inhuman and unacceptable" conditions in which the immigrants were being detained.

Over 600 immigrants landed in Malta in the first two months of the year, an unprecedented number for the winter season, compounding the problems of the most densely populated country in the EU. (dpa)