Libya gives green light for EU coast guard training

BRUSSELS (AP) - Libya has given the European Union permission to begin training its coast guard, as increasing numbers of migrants leave the country bound for Italy.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday that the training effort "will be very important to control Libya's territorial waters, together with our Libyan partners, as well as to control the migrant influx."

Mogherini's remarks came as she arrived in Brussels for talks with EU foreign ministers on how to move ahead with the training, among other issues, including the fight against the Islamic State group.

The EU also has a naval operation in the Mediterranean, and the Europeans have been waiting for approval from Libya's government to allow operations within the country's territorial waters to combat migrant smugglers.

"The Libyan coast guard is the basis on which we have to build security in the coastal waters of Libya," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told reporters.

"The key thing is that we've now got the Libyan government asking us for that help," he said, adding that a more effective coast guard "will cut down arms smuggling along the coast, but it will also of course cut down illegal migration towards Europe."

The West is hoping that Libya's fledgling government will unify Libyans and help combat the Islamic State affiliate there.

Libya descended into chaos after the 2011 death of leader Moammar Gadhafi, with IS-linked militants gaining in strength as two rival governments grappled for control. One, based in Tripoli, was backed by Islamist militias, while another in eastern Libya was internationally recognized.

The coast guard green light comes at a time when the Balkan Route for migrants into Europe's heartland has been largely closed and crossings from Libya, with inevitable sinkings, to Italy are gathering pace again.