EU extends Med mission "Irini" in an effort to halt weapon smuggling into Libya

The European Union (EU) has extended the military mission Irini by two years until the end of March 2023. The EU will continue to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to cut off the supply of weapons to Libya. The EU hopes this will give the new Libyan government of national unity a better chance to end the civil war. 

EU ministers will officially confirm the extension of the military mission next Monday (22 March). The mission currently includes four military ships, six aircraft and satellites. The soldiers have already carried out more than 2,300 checks and submitted 22 reports of embargo violations to the UN sanctions committee.

The UN arms embargo on Libya was imposed ten years ago, but a UN expert group stated in a report earlier this week that the measure is far from adequate. Libya has been in civil war for years, with the warring factions enjoying foreign support. Turkey and Qatar supported the government in Tripoli, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt backed the warlord Khalifa Haftar in the east of the country. Last year, the EU clashed with Turkey when Irini's military wanted to control a Turkish ship.

Among other things, as part of Irini's mission its personnel check whether ships on their way to Libya have weapons on board. Last year, there was a serious clash with Turkey when the EU mission wanted to inspect a Turkish ship.  

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US President Trump mocks UN on peace and migration and attacks European allies

US President Trump mocks UN on peace and migration and attacks European allies

US President Donald Trump relentlessly mocked the United Nations on Tuesday23 September  in his first address since his White House comeback, blasting it for failing to bring peace and claiming the world body encourages illegal migration. In his return to the UN General Assembly podium, Trump accused the UN of fostering an "assault" through migration on Western countries that he said were "going to hell". He likewise used the major forum to denounce efforts to reduce global warming, calling climate change concerns "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world". Trump also lashed out at European allies, as well as China and India, for failing to stop oil purchases from Russia, while remaining relatively restrained on Moscow even as he said Washington was ready to impose unspecified sanctions.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US President Trump mocks UN on peace and migration and attacks European allies

US President Trump mocks UN on peace and migration and attacks European allies

US President Donald Trump relentlessly mocked the United Nations on Tuesday23 September  in his first address since his White House comeback, blasting it for failing to bring peace and claiming the world body encourages illegal migration. In his return to the UN General Assembly podium, Trump accused the UN of fostering an "assault" through migration on Western countries that he said were "going to hell". He likewise used the major forum to denounce efforts to reduce global warming, calling climate change concerns "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world". Trump also lashed out at European allies, as well as China and India, for failing to stop oil purchases from Russia, while remaining relatively restrained on Moscow even as he said Washington was ready to impose unspecified sanctions.