German Frigate 'Hamburg' Ends Mission to Monitor Arms Embargo on Libya
Arab World
Cairo - Asharq Al-Awsat
The German Navy FGS Hamburg concluded its mission in Libya and returned home to Wilhelmshaven naval base after almost four months as part of the EU Operation Irini, launched to enforce a United Nations embargo on the flow of weapons into Libya. The commander of the frigate, Jan Fitchen, said that the mission made a clear and significant contribution to achieving stability in the maritime region off Libya. With more than 200 soldiers on board, the team of the German frigate managed to stop a tanker on its way to illegally transport kerosene to Libya. Last month, the German soldiers also boarded and tried to search a Turkish cargo ship that they suspected of carrying illegal weapons, however, they withdrew after Turkey raised objections with the EU mission. The German Defense Ministry said that soldiers from the frigate boarded the Turkish ship cargo, Rosaline-A, but they were forced to abandon the inspection upon Turkey’s protest. At the time, Turkey revealed that the vessel was carrying various materials, such as food and paint, stressing that German soldiers violated the principle of freedom of the open seas. Operation Irini is a part of the EU’s commitment to supporting the Berlin process, restore stability in Libya, and bring peace to its population. Irini’s main task is to implement an arms embargo on Libya under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Operation also has the secondary tasks of monitoring illegal oil trafficking from Libya, disrupting human trafficking and smuggling activities, and contributing to the training of Libyan Coast Guard and Navy.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2697031/german-frigate-hamburg-ends-mission-monitor-arms-embargo-libya
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