EU Finalizes Benghazi Maritime Rescue Center Amid Migration Surge
The European Union announced on July 31, 2026, the finalization of plans to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Benghazi, eastern Libya. Funded by Italy and Malta and operating under Operation IRINI, the center aims to address a massive surge in migrant departures from areas controlled by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF). While the EU frames the project as an effort to combat smuggling and enhance safety, human rights organizations have criticized the move, citing the potential for increased unlawful interceptions and migrant abuses.