France begins moving Calais camp minors to reception centers

French authorities on Wednesday began relocating migrant minors at the Calais camp to reception centers across the country, local media reported.

About 1,500 unaccompanied minors will be dispersed across France's reception centers this week, the daily Le Figaro said.

The first bus carrying 43 young refugees quit Calais at 08:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT) to transport them to Carcassonne center in southern France, according to the newspaper.

Some 30 buses are scheduled for Monday to transfer the unaccompanied minors to 60 reception and orientation centers after Britain said it was reluctant to welcome those who claimed having relatives in United Kingdom.

During a visit to refugees centers in western France, French President Francois Hollande on Saturday called on Britain to take its share of responsibility for minors from the Calais camp.

Last Monday, France cleared the migrant camp in the port city where 6,000 people fleeing war and poverty have been living for 18 months in difficult conditions. They have been relocated in centers across French cities.

The French government pledged that 9,000 places will be made available at 460 "reception and orientation centers" for refugees. They will be divided into groups of 40 to 50 people for a limited period of between three and four months.

Migrants who fit asylum criteria will stay in France while those who do not will be sent home. Endi