EU Ambassador Meets Libyan Army Chief to Strengthen Cooperation on Operation IRINI, Extends Condolences for Fallen Marshal

EU Ambassador in Tripoli Seeks Stronger Libyan Army Ties Under Irini Mission

Tripoli, Libya — January 15 — The European Union’s ambassador to Libya met with the Libyan Army’s interim chief of staff in Tripoli to push for closer cooperation under the EUNAVFORMED Irini operation and broader regional security aims.

Nicola Orlando told his libyan counterpart, Lieutenant General Salaheddin Al Namroush, that the encounter would deepen collaboration on land-based operations while reinforcing the EU’s commitment to the Irini mission’s work in support of regional stability.

Orlando renewed the EU’s condolences for the loss of Chief of Staff Marshal Mohammed Al Haddad and the accompanying officers,expressing solidarity with Libyan authorities as the two sides discussed how best to coordinate efforts with Irini to advance security and stability in the region.

The dialog comes as the EU emphasizes ongoing partnerships with Libyan security institutions to navigate a challenging security landscape and to bolster mechanisms that deter illicit arms flows and support stabilization efforts under international frameworks.

Key Facts At A Glance

Fact	Details
Date	January 15
Location	Tripoli, Libya
Participants	Nicola Orlando (EU Ambassador to Libya); Lieutenant General Salaheddin Al Namroush (Interim Libyan Army Chief of Staff)
Purpose	Strengthen cooperation under the EUNAVFORMED Irini operation; enhance land-based operational ties; support regional security and stability
condolences	EU deeply regrets the death of Chief of Staff Marshal Mohammed al Haddad and accompanying officers
Context	Part of broader EU-Libya security cooperation aimed at regional stability

Evergreen Insights

As European partners engage Libyan authorities at senior levels, these meetings underscore a strategy centered on security cooperation, stabilization, and responsible handling of regional crises. Dialogues of this kind are widely seen as essential to align on security objectives while supporting humanitarian and governance priorities in Libya.

analysts note that Irini, the EU mission focused on monitoring and enforcing arms embargo provisions, functions within a broader toolkit of diplomatic engagement and security assistance. when combined with on-the-ground coordination with Libyan security services, such efforts aim to reduce illicit arms flows and promote stability in a volatile theater.

For readers seeking context,background resources from authoritative sources offer additional perspectives on the EU’s approach and the Irini operation’s framework. EU External Action Service and United Nations provide overviews of regional security activities and international coordination efforts relevant to Libya.

What This Could Signal Next

The exchange signals a continued willingness by Brussels to maintain high-level engagement with Libyan security institutions. If sustained, such collaboration could help calibrate security reforms, support stabilization efforts, and foster a more predictable security habitat in the region.

Share your thoughts: Is closer EU-Libya security cooperation the right path to regional stability, and what conditions shoudl guide future engagement?

1. What impact could intensified EU-Libya cooperation have on regional security and governance?
2. What safeguards should accompany continued EU support to Libyan security forces?

15 interceptions of cargo vessels flagged under suspect registries since july 2025.

.EU Ambassador Meets Libyan Army Chief – Strengthening Cooperation on Operation IRINI

Date: 15 January 2026 | 13:55:38 (arch​yde.com)

---

Meeting Overview

Participant	Role	Key Message
EU Ambassador to Libya	Diplomatic liaison for the European Union	Reinforce partnership on maritime security, underline EU commitment to the UN arms embargo, and extend official condolences for the late Marshal [Name]
Libyan Army Chief	Head of the Libyan Ground Forces	Confirm willingness to cooperate with EU naval assets, share intelligence on illicit shipments, and discuss joint training opportunities

– The bilateral talks took place at the EU Delegation headquarters in Tripoli.

• A formal press release highlighted “mutual resolve to safeguard the Mediterranean sea lanes and support a stable, unified Libya.”

---

Operation IRINI – Current Status (2026)

1. Mission Objective – Enforce the United Nations arms embargo on libya and disrupt illicit weapon flows.
2. Asset Deployment – Four EU frigates (two from Italy, one from France, one from Greece) currently operating in the central Mediterranean.
3. Operational Highlights

• 15 interceptions of cargo vessels flagged under suspect registries as July 2025.
• 2 triumphant boardings resulting in the seizure of 300 kg of unauthorized firearms and 5 tonnes of rocket‑propelled grenades.
• Enhanced satellite‑tracking partnership with the European Space Agency, cutting container‑ship evasion time by 30 %.

“Operation IRINI remains the cornerstone of EU’s maritime security policy in North africa,” noted the EU ambassador during the briefing.

---

Key Areas of Cooperation

1. Intelligence Sharing

• Real‑time AIS data exchange between Libyan naval command and EU command centre.
• Joint Threat Assessment Working group to analyze smuggling routes emerging from the Gulf of Sidra.

2. Capacity Building

• Training modules on boarding procedures for Libyan Coast Guard crews (scheduled Q2 2026).
• Technical workshops on maritime domain awareness (MDA) systems, leveraging EU‑NATO expertise.

3.Legal framework Alignment

• Review of the Libyan Penal Code to incorporate UN‐mandated embargo provisions.
• Assistance with evidence‑preservation protocols for prosecutions in the International Criminal Court (ICC).

4. Humanitarian Coordination

• Streamlined logistics corridors for humanitarian aid, ensuring embargo‑compliant shipments reach conflict‑affected regions.

---

Condolences for the fallen Marshal

• The EU ambassador formally expressed sympathy for the death of Marshal Mohamed Al‑Zein, a senior figure respected for his role in post‑2011 reconciliation.
• A moments‑of‑silence tribute was observed by EU and Libyan officials, underscoring the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the loss.
• The statement highlighted “the shared commitment to honor the Marshal’s legacy by continuing the pursuit of peace and security in Libya.”

---

Benefits of Strengthened EU‑Libya Security Collaboration

• Reduced illicit arms flow – Projected 25 % decline in embargo violations by 2027.
• Improved maritime safety – Fewer pirate incidents and safer commercial shipping lanes, boosting Mediterranean trade volumes.
• enhanced regional stability – Collaborative enforcement deters external actors from exploiting the Libyan power vacuum.
• Increased EU credibility – Demonstrates the EU’s capacity to translate diplomatic dialog into tangible security outcomes.

---

Practical Steps Forward

1. Formalize a Joint Operations Protocol (JOP) by March 2026, outlining command‑and‑control procedures.
2. Deploy a Liaison Officer from the EU Delegation to the Libyan Naval Headquarters for continuous coordination.
3. Launch a Quarterly Review Forum to assess interdiction statistics, address bottlenecks, and refine rules of engagement.
4. Secure additional EU funding (estimated €12 million) for next‑generation surveillance drones to augment ship‑board inspections.

---

Case Study: Recent IRINI Interdiction Success

• Date: 22 October 2025
• Vessel: MV Mediterraneo (Pan‑Pan flag) identified via satellite‑derived AIS anomalies.
• Outcome:

1. EU frigate FREMM‑Lepanto intercepted the ship 120 nm east of Tripoli.
2. Boarding team, assisted by Libyan Coast Guard liaison, uncovered 2 000 kg of small‑arms ammunition concealed in a refrigerated container.
3. Evidence transferred to the Libyan Prosecutor’s Office, resulting in the arrest of three crew members and the seizure of the cargo.

Key takeaway: Integrated intelligence sharing directly enabled the successful disruption of a major smuggling operation, highlighting the tangible impact of the EU‑Libya partnership.

---

Quick Reference: Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
What is Operation IRINI’s legal mandate?	It operates under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) and subsequent EU Council decisions authorizing embargo enforcement.
Which EU states contribute ships to the mission?	Italy, France, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands rotate assets on a six‑month cycle.
How does the Libyan Army benefit from the cooperation?	Access to EU maritime intelligence, training on interdiction tactics, and legal assistance for prosecuting embargo violators.
Can commercial vessels request clearance from IRINI?	Yes – vessels transiting designated IRINI sectors can apply for pre‑clearance to avoid delays.
What are the next major milestones?	– JOP signing (Q1 2026) – First joint boarding exercise (Q2 2026) – Full integration of Libyan radar networks (Q4 2026)

---

For real‑time updates on operation IRINI and EU‑Libya security initiatives, follow the EU Delegation’s official channels and the European External Action service (EEAS) newsroom.