EU to back unprecedented naval force to fight people smugglers

[WorldNews]

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European Union ministers are set to approve plans Monday for an unprecedented naval force to fight people smugglers in the Mediterranean after a series of shipwrecks killed hundreds of migrants. The ambitious operation starting in June will involve the deployment of warships and surveillance aircraft off the coast of Libya, the epicentre of the humanitarian disaster unfolding on Europe's southern shores. The EU plan also includes the possible destruction of smugglers' boats before they reach European shores, although that requires a United Nations Security Council resolution backing military action. Federica Mogherini, the EU diplomatic chief, said approval from the European foreign and defence ministers at a "very intense" meeting in Brussels on Monday would help push the UN into action.

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