Turkey refuses to allow inspections on a commercial ship sent to Libya

Turkey denied a request by the EU to inspect a commercial ship sent to Libya which is currently subject to a UN arms embargo. The EU urged Ankara to abide by the Security Council resolutions, DW Turkish reported.

Turkey refused to allow the inspection intended to be carried out on Sunday on the cargo ship MV Parpali off the coast of Mistrata, said Nabila Massrali, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy of the EU

An EU mission known as Operation Irene monitors  whether the UN arms embargo on Libya has been breached. The mission also gathers information on possible illegal oil shipments or human smugglers from Libya. 

The Irini mission tweeted that it regretted Turkey's decision to refuse the inspection, asked Turkey to comply with UN Security Council resolution 2292 on the arms embargo.

We regret Turkey????????’s denial of EUNAVFOR MED #IRINI????????’s request to inspect another ship, MV Parpali, in accordance with #UNSCR 2292 on the arms embargo on #Libya????????. All UN members are called by #UNSC to cooperate with inspections. @eu_eeas@ExtSpoxEU@NabilaEUspox

— Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (@EUNAVFOR_MED) July 4, 2022

Massrali said that this was the eighth time that Turkey denied inspection on its ships so far.

Turkey criticizes the Irini mission and argues that the purpose of the operation has evolved over time into an overt embargo against the Tripoli-based government of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, supported by Turkey,

Libya’s failure to undergo scheduled elections in December leaded two rival political factions from east and west into a standoff over control of government. After the failed election, the eastern-based House of Representatives parliament said al-Dbeibah government was no longer valid and appointed Fathi Bashagha as prime minister.