EU to refocus naval mission on Libya arms embargo
- Operation Sophia to be revived after patrols ended last year due to dispute over rescued migrants
- Talks in Brussels come hours after a Libya conference in Berlin, where international leaders vowed to uphold a UN arms embargo
The European Union plans to revive its Operation Sophia naval mission to focus on upholding Libya's arms embargo, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced on Monday, as part of efforts to bring peace to the conflict-torn country.
EU foreign ministers were meeting in the wake of a Libya conference in Berlin the previous day, at which international leaders vowed to uphold a UN arms embargo and end military support for the northern African 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 Hifter 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 country became a gateway for migrants trying to reach Europe.
The European Union has pledged to help implement the agreements reached, including possibly dispatching troops under an EU flag to monitor the ceasefire.