EU asks Security Council to allow its Mediterranean force to enforce arms embargo on Libya

The European Union (EU) on Monday asked the UN Security Council to authorize EU's naval forces in the Mediterranean to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Federica Mogherini, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, asked the 15-nation council to adopt a resolution on authorizing Operation Sophia, the EU mission set up to stem migrant trafficking from Libya, to enforce the arms embargo on the high seas, off the coast of Libya.

"This is the course of action that our European Union has chosen: constant coordination with the United Nations, to best serve our collective interests," said Mogherini.

In 2015, the EU launched the naval operation to reduce migrant and refugee smuggling across the Mediterranean.

Last year in October, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to authorize member states, including the European Union, to take actions on vessels that are used for people smuggling from Libya.

Libya, a major oil producer in North Africa, has been witnessing a frayed political process after former leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled during the 2011 political turmoil, as two rival parliaments vying for power and several groups have been fighting for control of national resource wealth.

The UN Security Council imposed sanctions measures including arms embargo on Libya in 2011 to prevent sale or supply of arms and related material of all types to the country. Endit