Libya’s internationally recognised government warned European countries that it will target any ships that enter its territorial waters without permission.
The warning came after European foreign ministers agreed on Monday to launch a naval operation to combat human trafficking from Libya to Europe.
Libyan Air Force commander Saqr Al-Jarushi told Reuters late on Monday that his troops would target any ship found in Libyan waters without coordination or prior permission.
The European naval operation will be limited, for the time being, to information gathering because the Europeans have not yet received a mandate from the United Nations to launch broader operations.