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The Libyan government circumvents the arms embargo. With Sophia's consent?

Commander Ducuing's dog responsible for sniffing weapons (credit: EUNAVFOR Med / French Navy - Archives B2) 

 

(B2)Lth government of national unity Libyan, established in Tripoli, would circumvent the arms embargo with some consent from the EUNAVFOR command. This is somewhat the meaning of the interpellation made by the French ambassador during a meeting of the COPS (the Political and Security Committee of the EU), on April 25, during a specific point of the meeting devoted to Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR Med). A point held in "secret" formation at the Justus Lipsius, the seat of the Council, where only ambassadors were invited (as evidenced by the agenda).

The subject of the discussion is obviously worth these precautionary measures. The French ambassador accuses, with supporting evidence, the European operation EUNAVFOR and Admiral Credendino, of having let through at least one ship carrying weapons in violation of the embargo imposed by the United Nations and the mandate received by the operation since September. Indeed in the report drawn up before the meeting of the Ministers of Defense, in several months of action, the "0" weapons found are displayed in an unmistakable way. Which is more than surprising for a task started since September (read Review of Operation Sophia).

A fishing boat converted into a transport for wounded... and weapons

According to Der Spiegel, the French ambassador has specific facts: the Libyan government in Tripoli is engaged in the smuggling of weapons from Misrata to Benghazi (Benghazi). And he proves it. The "Lufy", or "Al Luffy", a large fishing boat with more than 15 crew, converted into a transport ship. Officially this ship repatriates wounded, but inside it was mainly loaded with machine guns and other weapons. Despite everything, no seizure is carried out... The Lufy passes the European control without hindrance. We close our eyes. Italian Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino gave the order to release the ship – writes the German weekly – because it is operating in the name of the government of national unity and therefore enjoys a kind of immunity. This is enough to arouse the serious anger of a few Member States informed, a little overwhelmed by the Italian double game.

A kick or a stroke of luck

A few days after this "explanation" in COPS, a first seizure of weapons is ensured (and made public), on May 1, by a Lithuanian team and the ship Rhein. On board, rocket launchers, landmines... a small arsenal - according to our information - not really intended to ensure peace, but above all intended to fight against Haftar (Read: Weapons aboard a Libyan ship. A first entry for Sophia). One " stroke of luck quipped a diplomat. " Which proves that we were right to insist, and to insist on putting in place such a control ". " Our work paid off Enrico Credendino explained to us, not very talkative, when we ran into him on the patio of the SEAE a few days ago (May 4).

Comment: Behind the beautiful European unity, officially displayed, supporting the government of El-Sarraj, the divisions are in fact very real. Between French and British, on the one hand, and Italians or Maltese, on the other, the vision of solidity and support for the government of Tripoli is very different (to be a diplomat...).

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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