The Italian parliament has approved a naval mission aimed at boosting the Libyan coastguard in its fight against human traffickers.
It would provide technical support without infringing on the crisis-hit country’s sovereignty but would not take part in a “hostile” naval blockade to prevent the departure of migrant boats.
Italy’s Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni announced a plan to deploy vessels in Libyan territorial waters, saying Libya’s UN-backed unity government chief Fayez al-Sarraj had asked for Rome’s assistance.
Some 600 000 mostly African migrants have arrived in Italy from Libya since the start of 2014.
