EU to Open Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi, Libya
The European Union announced plans to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. The centre will be funded by Italy and Malta and will operate under the EU naval Operation IRINI. EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando disclosed the decision, which follows a meeting in Rome attended by Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, the commander of Operation IRINI, Malta’s ambassador Daniel Azzopardi, and General Khairy Tamimi of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces.
The EU, which formally recognizes only Libya’s Tripoli‑based government, has increased contacts with authorities in eastern Libya controlled by military commander Khalifa Haftar as migrant departures from that region have risen. While the bloc has long supported and trained the Libyan coastguard, rights groups warn that enhancing Libyan maritime capacity could lead to more interceptions of migrant boats and their return to Libya, where United Nations and other organisations have documented abuse of migrants and refugees. EU officials say the partnership is intended to improve maritime safety, combat smuggling networks and reduce deaths at sea.
Entities
Benghazi · European Union · Italy · Khalifa Haftar · Nicola Orlando
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] EU officials say the cooperation aims to improve maritime safety, combat smuggling networks and reduce deaths at sea. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Rights groups warn that strengthening Libyan maritime capabilities could increase interceptions of migrant boats and lead to returns to Libya where abuses are documented. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando announced the plan. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The EU formally recognises only Libya’s Tripoli‑based government but has increased contacts with eastern authorities led by Khalifa Haftar. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The European Union has agreed to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi, Libya. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The centre will operate under Operation IRINI. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Funding for the centre will come from Italy and Malta. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] A meeting in Rome was attended by Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, Malta’s ambassador Daniel Azzopardi, and General Khairy Tamimi. mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · wkzo.com · www.arabnews.pk · +1 more