German cabinet extends participation in Med Sea operation

The German cabinet on Wednesday approved a plan to extend the country’s participation in an EU operation against people smugglers in the Mediterranean, the report said.

It also aimed at stemming the flow of illegal weapons into Libya.

The plan, which is expected to receive parliamentary approval in the coming weeks, will see the German army expand its deployment from 400 forces to 950 forces over the next 12 months.

German forces, which are part of Operation Sophia, set up by the EU last year to patrol international waters off Libya.

The force are also set to arrest suspected migrant smugglers, will also prevent arms from being smuggled into Libya.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has set aside a total of 51.2 million dollars for its participation in the mission.

Libya is currently subject to an arms embargo, and the UN has indicated that weapons are being brought there illegally through countries including Egypt, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

 



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