European Union military

The European Union military operation that aims to smash smuggling boats in Libya is totally rejected, Libyan Coast guard spokesman Qassim Ayoub told MENA on Monday.

He added that the military operation is considered an intervention in Libya's domestic affairs and also a threat to Libyan fishermen.

He said that the Libyan government has to strictly deal with the EU and the international community concerning such issue.

Meanwhile, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said "there will be no military intervention in Libya but just an operation that aims to halt smuggling people."

We are ready to launch the operation on the basis of an European and UN framework, she further said.

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said that EU is not planning to raise any decree to the UN that stipulates a military intervention in Libya.

Foreign ministers of European Union are expected to meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the practical aspects to launch a military operation against smuggling boasts in the Libyan territorial waters.