On 30 July, a meeting was held at the Operations HQ of Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI —the EU’s Mediterranean naval mission—in Rome between the Secretary General of the LNA Lieutenant Khairi al-Tamimi and the Commander of Operation IRINI Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, alongside the EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando and the Ambassador of Malta to Italy Daniel Azzopardi. Orlando reported that during the meeting, the procedures were finalized to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Benghazi under Operation IRINI, with a funding of about EUR 3 million from Italy and Malta. According to Orlando, the ‘Centre, together with dedicated training by IRINI and [EUBAM Libya], will strengthen Libya’s capacity to conduct search and rescue operations at sea in line with international standards and human rights.’
Operating under Operation IRINI, the centre aims to manage migration flows, curb illegal human smuggling networks, and enhance search-and-rescue capabilities in the central Mediterranean. The Centre shall coordinate the activities of the Libyan Coast Guard operating in eastern Libya and oversee the search-and-rescue zone under its jurisdiction.
Al-Tamimi and IRINI Commander Casapieri also signed a military cooperation agreement about joint training, capacity‑building, and technical exchange between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and Operation IRINI, aiming to enhance the professionalism and readiness of Libyan military personnel through coordinated initiatives with EU member states.
The LNA General Command emphasized that cooperation would involve the EU’s 27 countries, opening broader avenues for military and technical partnership. According to the Command, this move aligns with its strategy of deepening ties with friendly nations and leveraging international expertise to improve institutional performance and operational preparedness.