Libya's rival gov'ts biased over EU military plans on stowaways

Libya's two rival governments reacted differently on the EU's recent mandate permitting military force to halt illegal immigration from the country, Libya's government sources said Monday.

Following the recent tragedy on the Mediterranean sea, the EU hopes a UN mandate that will allow military action to stop the stowaways from entering Europe through the Libyan coast. On April 19, 750 migrants drowned after their boat sank between Libya and southern Italy.

Sources at the internationally recognized government in Tobruk said military intervention will not be tolerated and suggested both the EU and the UN arm their legitimate government to tackle the problem.

Earlier, the government pleaded several times for munitions from the UN to counter "terrorism" as well as curb lawlessness.

However, the rival Tripoli government, backed by Islamist armed coalition Libya Dawn, invited the EU to hold "direct talks," though the regime is not recognized by the international community.

Four years following the civil war which toppled the country's former leader, Muammar Gaddafi, Libya descended into anarchy leaving a power vacuum in most of its territories, encouraging migrants to venture by sea via the North African country.

It has long been a transit point for migrants seeking to reach Malta, Italy, and European countries due to its proximity and lackadaisical border control.

According to a UN report, over 110,000 migrants crossed through Libya in 2014 en route to Europe. Endit