Security Council extends mandate to inspect ships off Libya's coast

The United Nations Security Council has extended its mandate allowing member states to inspect ships suspected of violating the arms embargo on Libya.
The resolution, numbered 2780, was submitted by France and Greece and was adopted with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained.
The decision renews the mandate for six months, enabling member states or regional organizations—such as the EU's Operation IRINI—to inspect vessels in international waters heading to or from Libya, provided there are reasonable grounds to suspect they are carrying weapons or related materials in violation of the embargo.
The resolution also requests the UN Secretary-General to report back to the Security Council within five months on its implementation.
Russia and China expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the EU-led Operation IRINI, currently the sole entity implementing this mandate, and voiced concerns over the disposal methods of seized materials.
The Security Council imposed the arms embargo on Libya in 2011 following the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. In 2016, Resolution 2292 authorized ship inspections to enforce the embargo. Tags: UN Security Council Operation IRINI

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