Madrid, 16 May (AKI) - Spain's vice-president Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega has accused the Italian government of racism and xenophobia.

"The [Spanish] government rejects violence, racism and xenophobia, thus it does not agree with what is happening in Italy," said Fernandez de la Vega at a media conference on Friday.

"Immigration is a necessary phenomenon, which is positive as long as it is orderly and legal," said Fernandez de la Vega.

"The government does not share the deportations without respect for laws and rights."

Italy's new centre-right government headed by Silvio Berlusconi, has arrested hundreds of people this week in raids against migrant camps in several cities including Rome and the southern port city of Naples.

Most of the 383 foreigners arrested on Thursday were from North Africa and Romania.


Earlier this week a number of Roma Gypsy camps were attacked and set on fire, after a 17-year-old Roma girl was arrested for allegedly attempted to kidnap a six-year-old girl.

Many Roma Gypsies come from Romania and of the 150,000 Roma gypsies who live in Italy, 70,000 have Italian citizenship.

This week's operation appeared to signal the new conservative government's intention to keep its election promise to crack down on illegal immigrants. Many Italians hold them responsible for numerous crimes.

Berlusconi's People of Freedom coalition includes the anti-immigrant Northern League party.