Libyan govt demands consultations on military actions

(ANSA) - Cairo, May 20 - Any military action in waters near Libya must be coordinated with the internationally recognized government in Tobruk, a spokesman told Egyptian news agency Mena Wednesday.
    The government will not accept any plans to bomb boats as part of a battle against human smugglers unless it is consulted, said Hatem El Uraibi.
    That has consistently been Libya's position to protect its fishermen in Libyan waters, he added.
    The European Union has set out a migrants plan that includes efforts to track and fight human trafficking that has led to thousands of migrant deaths on the Mediterranean.
    According to the International Organization for Migration, last year 3,224 migrants drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean for Europe.
    The EU plan includes monitoring migrants boats and possibly destroying them as a way to cut off human traffickers.
    However, such a military measure requires approval from the United Nations Security Council.
    The proposal for a military mission already includes plans for a headquarters in Rome.