The European Union has established military attack strategies in Libya to target people smuggling networks which have been deemed to contribute to a rise in migrant refugees attempting to travel to Europe through treacherous conditions.
The UK is drafting a UN Security council resolution to authorise such a mission, which would be headed by Italy leading a coalition of 10 countries including the UK, France and Spain.
The EU chief foreign and security policy coordinator is expected to brief the UN security council on Monday, reports the Guardian.
A British Ministry of Defence spokesperson, said,
“Working closely with Italy and EU partners, HMS Bulwark and three Royal Naval Merlin Helicopters are providing wide ranging search and rescue capabilities in the Mediterranean, already rescuing over 100 people. The UK is now considering how best to support the proposed EU mission to counter the smuggling networks.”
Libya’s ambassador to the UN said that he had not been consulted about the plans and opposed them.
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