EU Ambassador and Italy Push for Release of Confiscated Arms Shipment for Libya
Military equipment originally destined for Libya has been held in France for years, but some European politicians are now pushing to see it delivered.
-
2 min read
In 2022, the EU’s Operation Irini intercepted and impounded the vessel Meerdjic off the Mediterranean coast under the mandate of the UN arms embargo on Libya.
The ship was carrying a consignment of armoured vehicles supplied by the United Arab Emirates and reportedly bound for the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The vessel was diverted and has since remained docked in Marseille, France, under international custody.
According to diplomatic sources, both Italy and the EU’s Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, are now quietly lobbying for the release of the Meerdjic’s cargo. The proposal under discussion would see the shipment re-routed not to the eastern-based LNA, but instead to Tripoli, under the control of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba’s Government of National Unity (GNU).
Confidential
This article is exclusive to subscribers
Join diplomats, analysts and global decision-makers who rely on our reporting to stay ahead in the world's most complex regions. Sign up now to access the full article —plus advanced reporting options and exclusive features.
