The European Union is set to extend its Libya arms embargo mission for two years, a senior EU official said, according to a report by AFP.
The mandate of Operation IRINI was initially scheduled to last until March 31, however the EU27 bloc is expected to “adopt a decision next week extending its mandate for two extra years until end of March 2023,” according to the EU official.
The mission is monitoring the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo on Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular it is mandated to carry out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms or related material to and from the country.
Stressing that after the Libyans voted last week for a unity government, paving the way for peace in the war-torn country, the EU official said that it is now “more necessary than ever to continue our efforts”.
The Union’s High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell is visiting on March 18-19 the Operation’s Headquarters in Rome on the occasion of its 1st anniversary, where he will meet with the Operation’s Commander Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini.