NEARLY 150 refugees left stranded on a docked rescue ship in Sicily were released on Saturday night after a week-long standoff over which country would offer them refuge.

Far-right Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini had the Ubaldo Diciotti locked down when it arrived on Monday, saying he would not allow its 177 passengers to disembark unless other countries would guarantee to take them in.

Over the next few days 27 unaccompanied children and 16 adults requiring immediate medical care were released, but he continued to block 134 from leaving.

The decision led to days of tense arguments within the EU, which accused Mr Salvini's department of engaging in illegal detention. 

Denouncing the EU as "unprecedented filth," Salvini initially said he would be "proud to be arrested," before reversing his decision shortly after the EU announced the launch of a formal probe.

He said Albania would take in 20 people and Ireland 25. 

The rest will stay in Italy after all, under the care of the Catholic Church.