New mandate for the Bundeswehr off the Libyan coast

The EU mission in the Mediterranean, named after the Greek goddess of peace Eirene, is primarily concerned with preventing arms deliveries to Libya. Human smuggling and the illegal export of crude oil or oil products from Libya should also continue to be prevented.

According to the mandate, the Bundeswehr should take on tasks such as maritime surveillance and reconnaissance with up to 300 soldiers. The task force supply ship “Bonn” recently left port and is on its way to its operational area with around 170 soldiers on board.

In the Bundestag in Berlin, 555 MPs voted by roll call to extend the corresponding mandate. 101 MPs were against, with one abstention.

Violations of the arms embargo

The justification for the operation pointed out that there were “continuous violations of the arms embargo” of the United Nations. There are also “continued foreign fighters, forces and mercenaries” in the country. A regulated process to disarm the Libyan militias has still not taken place.

The EU mission “Irini” in the Mediterranean was launched in 2020. Chaos has reigned in Libya since the fall and violent death of ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011. Two governments are fighting for power in the North African country, armed militias and foreign mercenaries are fighting each other. Other countries are also involved in the conflict, including Russia and Turkey.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had campaigned before the Bundestag in March for further participation in “Irini”. The mission is “important and politically correct,” he said. The extension of the mandate is “another element of clever and far-sighted security policy” – also for Germany.

se/mak (dpa, epd, afp)