On 11 May, a joint team from Operation Irini, the EU Delegation to Libya, EUBAM, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducted a technical site survey in Benghazi for the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) project. According to Irini, this included meetings with the Libyan Coast Guard, the Libyan National Army (LNA), and the eastern Ports Authority focused on infrastructure, utilities, and security needs.
Earlier in the week, on 8 May, the commander of EUNAVFOR Operation Irini Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri had received at the operation’s headquarters in Rome EU and EU Member State Ambassadors, EU Borders Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Libya, Deputy SRSG to Libya Ulrika Richardson and UK officials, briefing the delegates on Irini’s Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA), Shadow fleet monitoring, and Capacity Building and Training with Libyan authorities.
EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando said they discussed Operation Irini’s role in the changing regional and international context, and its potential to enhance support provided to Libyan maritime authorities across the country through training, capacity building, and fostering cooperation.