The European Union (EU) has approved the establishment of a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, as part of efforts to stem irregular migration along one of Europe’s most-trafficked migration routes.
The decision was announced on Thursday by the EU Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, who said procedures to set up the centre under the EU naval mission, Operation IRINI, had been completed with funding from Italy and Malta.
“We have closed the procedures for the creation of a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi as part of Operation IRINI, with the funding of Italy and Malta,” Orlando wrote in a post on X.
The announcement followed a meeting in Rome between Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, Commander of Operation IRINI, Malta’s Ambassador to Italy Daniel Azzopardi and General Khairy Tamimi, Secretary-General of the Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces.
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Since the NATO-backed uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been a major transit point for migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe.
For some time, the European Union and member states have been supporting and training the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant boats. The bloc formally recognises only the Tripoli-based government, but has stepped up engagement with authorities in eastern Libya after a spike in migrant departures from areas under military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The proposed Benghazi rescue centre has been criticised by human rights organisations, who say that increasing Libya’s maritime capabilities could lead to more migrant boats being intercepted and those on board being sent back to Libya, where the United Nations and rights groups have repeatedly documented abuses against migrants and refugees.
EU officials say cooperation with Libyan authorities is crucial to improve maritime safety, dismantle human smuggling networks and cut down on deaths at sea.
