Italy gave the Libyan coast guard four repaired patrol boats on Monday to beef up Libya's efforts to stop people smuggling, but the support worries humanitarian groups operating rescue ships near the Libyan coast.
Italy and the European Union promised in February to spend millions of euros to help the Tripoli government upgrade its coast guard fleet, and some 90 crew have been trained by the EU, Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti said as he presented the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli with the vessels.
"These are capable officials and sailors who from this point on can contribute to a double operation: the first is the control of Libyan waters, which is highly important for the stability of this country," he said.