Europe appealed to the United Nations Security Council on Monday to back its plan to stem the deadly flow of migrants across the Mediterranean by dismantling people-smuggling organizations and destroying their vessels, though not by bombing.
European Union leaders agreed last month to "identify, capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers," but it is unclear how that may be achieved and the 28-nation bloc wants U.N. authorization for its operation.
"No one is thinking of bombing. I'm talking about a naval operation," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said after briefing the Security Council. She said European foreign ministers would meet on May 18 to discuss and set details of the operation.