(ANSA) - Rome, February 24 - Rome Prefect Franco Gabrielli on Wednesday said that only 13 out of 57 Roma settlements in the Italian capital have been authorized, warning they have become "no man's land".

"Talking about Roma camps in the city, we have 57 settlements: 44 are illegal and tolerated; 13 have been authorized", Gabrielli told a press conference at the chamber of commerce on security during the Jubilee Year.

He added that the municipal government has not been investing money on the camps, which "are not governed anymore", becoming areas where illegal activities prosper. "The only solution is to go beyond Roma settlements but it is necessary to have an administration that takes charge", he said, noting no action had been taken by the last municipal government due to lack of funding.

With Rome extraordinary commissioner and former Milan prefect, Francesco Paolo Tronca, steering the capital to June elections following the ouster of mayor Ignazio Marino last November over an expenses scandal, the situation is at an impasse given the commissioner's more limited role, Gabrielli said.

