Six years since a revolution that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has become a key departure point for migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean to Europe
AFP: Libya says EU naval operation 'encourages' migrants
Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamad Taher Siala on Friday urged the EU to rethink its naval operation in the Mediterranean, saying it comes with the side effect of encouraging migrants to attempt the perilous crossing to Europe.
The European Union launched Operation Sophia in 2015 to crack down on smugglers on the high seas, after hundreds of migrants died when their rickety boats sank off southern Italy.
The operation's vessels are charged with intercepting smugglers' boats and destroying them, but they often end up rescuing the migrants trying to make their way to Europe -- many of whom depart from Libya.
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Update: This story has been circulating since last year .... Are we helping desperate migrants — or just people smugglers? Shocking claims in Italy about collusion between people smugglers and NGOs (Nicholas Farrell, Spectator).
WNU Editor: Duh!!!!
Update #2: Only one million? .... More than ONE MILLION migrants hoping to cross to Europe are 'in the pipeline' in Libya: Senior diplomat warns EU has done 'too little, too late' to tackle the crisis (Daily Mail).
