On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that talks are ongoing with the European Union for possible cooperation with its naval Operation ‘IRINI’.
The operation — dubbed IRINI, the Greek word for “peace” — was launched on 1 April, 2020.
The mission’s main objective is “the implementation of the UN arms embargo in Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets”.
Stoltenberg added that the NATO alliance is currently discussing ways to support the EU led operation.
He noted that NATO previously provided support to Operation Sophia in 2015.
He pointed out that the NATO ships, aircraft and submarines were conducting focused patrols in the central and western Mediterranean, from 12 February to 4 March. This is to collect information and monitor suspicious activities at sea.
Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising toppled leader Moammar Gaddfi, who was later killed.
The country has since been split between two rival administrations in the east and the west.