Libya’s UN-backed government has requested the EU to provide it with armed ships and helicopters to intercept and prevent migrants from making the risky journey on boats to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe. Libya’s request was marred by allegation of abuse endured by migrants on Libyan coast as well as a lack of strategy by the Libyan Coast guard regarding rescue missions. Libya’s newly trained coastguards lack a strategy on where to deploy or how to detect and intercept smugglers, EU officials told Reuters. EU officials are increasingly worried that Libya has become a major departure point for illegal migration to Europe attracting economic migrants and refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa. The UNICEF said that at least 150 children were reported dead in the illegal sea crossing to Europe.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 28, 2017 16:07 UTC