Germany, France, Italy to push ahead with EU sanctions over Libya
The three countries agree on a list of companies and individuals transporting weapons in violation of a UN embargo.
Germany, France and Italy plan to push ahead with a bid to use European Union sanctions to stem the continuing supply of arms to war-torn Libya.
The three countries have agreed on a list of companies and individuals providing ships, aircraft or other logistics for the transport of weapons, in violation of a United Nations embargo that has been in place since 2011, EU sources told the DPA news agency.
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Three companies from Turkey, Jordan and Kazakhstan as well as two individuals from Libya are involved, the sources said.
In mid-June, the three EU countries warned they would apply sanctions on those violating the UN embargo.
“We are prepared to consider a possible use of sanctions if infringements against the land, sea and air embargo continue,” the countries’ three heads of government wrote in a joint statement, without naming a state or entity which could be the target of the measure.
Breaching the embargo
France has repeatedly accused Turkey of breaching the arms embargo.
The EU recently established a dedicated naval mission named Operation IRINI to enforce the restrictions.
Oil-wealthy Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 revolt toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. It has since become a battleground for rival proxy forces.
A solution to the conflict would be important for Germany, France and Italy, because smuggling gangs bringing refugees and migrants across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe benefit from the chaotic situation.