EU Suspends Naval Missions in Libya Migrant Rescue Operation

The EU on Wednesday suspended ship patrols that have rescued tens of thousands of migrants since 2015 in the Mediterranean and brought them to Italy, after deep resistance by populist-led Rome.

European Union diplomats agreed that the operation would be officially extended six months beyond its March 31 expiry date, but no longer deploy ships and instead rely on air missions and coordination with Libya.

"Member States have decided to extend the mandate of Operation Sophia for six months with a temporary suspension of its naval assets while Member States continue working on a solution related to disembarkation," an EU official said in a statement.