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DPA
Brussels
EU foreign ministers discussed the bloc’s role in implementing a peace process for Libya on Monday, including the possible relaunch of a naval mission that was suspended last year amid a fierce migration dispute.
The talks in Brussels came hours after a Libya conference in Berlin at which international leaders vowed to uphold a UN arms embargo and end military support for the country’s warring factions.
Libya’s embattled Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj enjoys United Nations backing and a Turkish force presence, while rival commander Khalifa Haftar has the support of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.
Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi and has become a battleground for rival proxy forces. The issue is seen as key to EU security, after the northern African country became a gateway for migrants trying to reach Europe.
At Sunday’s conference, the European Union pledged to help implement the agreements reached, including possibly dispatching troops under an EU flag to monitor the ceasefire.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell talked to ministers about possible steps - include the option of relaunching naval patrols in the Mediterranean Sea under Operation Sophia. The mission originally aimed to stop human trafficking and enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.
“I think we have to revive it, yes,” Borrell told journalists ahead of Monday’s talks.
The patrols ended last year due to a dispute between Italy and other member states on what to do with migrants rescued by Operation Sophia. The mission still trains the Libyan coastguard.
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21/01/2020
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