The European Union is set to extend its Libya arms embargo mission for two years, a senior EU official said.

The mandate of Operation IRINI was initially scheduled to last until March 31, however the EU27 bloc is expected to “adopt a decision next week extending its mandate for two extra years until end of March 2023,” according to the EU official. 

The EU operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI has helped to enforce the United Nations arms embargo against Libya since 2020. In addition, the operation is tasked with investigating illegal exports of oil as well as combating human trafficking.