The New Moon inspected by a Greek frigate from Irini off Tobruk

(B2) The cargo ship was inspected on Saturday (March 6) while heading for Benghazi (Libya), by a visiting team from the flagship of the European operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini. Nothing suspicious was found on board

an inspection

This cargo ship, flying the Comoros flag, left Alexandria (Egypt) on March 4 and was destined for Benghazi (Libya), in the area controlled by General Haftar. And some aspects warranted a visit. A Greek visiting team from the Greek flagship HS AEGEAN boarded the vessel in international waters, approximately 47 nautical miles northeast of the port of Tobruk (Libya). It was indeed an inspection and not a simple interrogation. The objective is to search the ship for any goods transported in violation of the international arms embargo enacted by the resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations.

nothing suspicious

The team checked the documentation available on board and inspected the cargo. " Nothing suspicious was found and the vessel was cleared to continue. indicates the operation's headquarters in Rome in a press release published on Sunday (7.03). The procedure took place in an atmosphere of collaboration for both captain and crew ". This inspection is called cooperative. Because it took place with the acquiescence of the captain of the ship. It ended with the group photo, now traditional, between the inspected and the controllers. History to demonstrate the absence of encumbrances.

2200 verifications and 7 inspections

This is the seventh inspection since the start of the European operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini. In 11 months, more than 2200 ships were also interrogated (hailing), 88 friendly approaches were made and one ship diversion operated.

(remark ) A timely visit

It can be noted that this visit also has a rather political aspect. Carried out by the Greek flagship of the operation, it demonstrates that European controls and inspections target both ships (Turkish for example) supplying western Libya (where the government of national unity of Sarraj, supported by the international community and militarily by Turkey and Qatar) than those supplying eastern Libya (supported by Russia, the Emirates and Egypt). The European operation thus wants to contradict those (Russians and Turks) who accuse it of partiality (especially when they are subject to control).

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)