Italy's hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini was on Wednesday due to meet at Pratica di Mare military airport a group of 51 refugees on their arrival from Niger, the interior ministry said in a statement.
The refugees were scheduled to arrive at Pratica di Mare, south of Rome at 12.30 local time and were selected for international protection by the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, the statement said.
Salvini, who is also deputy premier, was expected to hold a press conference at the airport, the statement added.