Germany, France, and Italy are moving forward with a plan to apply EU sanctions to those they deem responsible for the in-flow of weapons in Libya despite its arms embargo.
The three EU member states have prepared a list of individuals and companies claimed to be in direct violation of the embargo. The list included two Libyan nationals and three foreign companies, according to German press agency (dpa).
They have agreed on a list of companies and individuals providing ships, aircraft or other logistics for the transport of weapons, in violation of a United Nations embargo that has been in place since 2011.
In mid-June, the three EU countries warned they would apply sanctions on those violating the UN embargo.
"We are prepared to consider a possible use of sanctions if infringements against the land, sea and air embargo continue," the countries wrote in a joint statement, without naming a state or entity which could be the target of the measure.
The EU recently started its own patrols of the Mediterranean Sea off Libya’s coast under “Operation Irini.”