Italy’s prime minister has addressed growing criticism of the repatriation of a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Migrants expressed their dismay and sense of betrayal on Wednesday over Italy's decision last week to release a Libyan policeman wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and human rights abuses and allow him to return home.

Osama Elmasry Njeem is suspected of crimes against humanity including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence as a prison overseer in Tripoli.