Greek island mayors press government to lighten migrants overload

Mayors of three Greek islands bearing the brunt of intensely overcrowded refugee and migrant camps demanded the transfer of thousands to the country's mainland during a meeting with the new migration minister in Athens on Thursday.

During a second day of protests over the plight of the camps and the conservative government's plans to replace them with holding centers, the mayors of Lesbos, Samos and Chios pressed for a swift resolution to the problem.

Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis said after the meeting that the concerns were justified as the migrant crisis has placed a heavy burden on island communities.

"Our priorities include the decongestion of islands, the reduction of migrant inflows, their (migrants') return to Turkey and trust-building measures between the central government and the islands," Mitarachi told reporters.

On Wednesday island...