OREANDA-NEWSThe European Union on April 1 launches a new mission in the Mediterranean called IRINI to monitor the implementation of the arms embargo on Libya. This is stated in a statement by the EU Council, circulated on Tuesday in Brussels.

"Today, the Council decided to start the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI operation on April 1, 2020", it said. IRINI will be led by Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini as commander of the EU operation, and the mission will be headquartered in Rome. The operation’s mandate will initially last until March 31, 2021, the statement said.

The Council emphasizes that in parallel with the start of the IRINI mission, the rescue of migrants Sofia in the Mediterranean will cease operations. She has been operating in the region since May 2015.