EU leaders discuss Libya but reluctant to send troops

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders, concerned about migrants using Libya as a jumping-off point for the continent, discussed Friday how to help the conflict-torn country regain stability — but were reluctant to commit to sending troops.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said Europe is “planning all possible ways of supporting, even on the plan of security, a future national unity government.” She has said Europe could mount a military and border operation, and help build Libya’s police and justice systems.

But many of the EU’s 28 member countries are reluctant to send troops or resources while Libya remains unsettled, with rival governments in place.

Libya is the main departure point from Africa for migrants fleeing poverty and war in search of better lives in Europe, and the conflict has raised deep concerns that extremists could also make the crossing.

EU statistics released Friday showed the number of asylum applications in the 28 member states rose by 44 percent from 2013 to 2014, to 626,000. One in five was fleeing the conflict in Syria.

“Europe must remain alert because it could be hurt by any deterioration in Libya, whether it be migration, extremism, terrorism or all kinds of trafficking,” Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said as he arrived for the second day of an EU summit in Brussels.

Libya has two parliaments and two governments, along with rival militaries and militias. The power struggle and fierce fighting has plunged the country into chaos and paved the way for the Islamic State group’s expansion.

EU leaders will offer support to UN talks between the factions in Morocco, but would not act without an official request from the UN or an invitation from Libya itself.

Mogherini, whose home country of Italy is a key destination for the migrants, said she would “bring concrete proposals” to the next EU foreign affairs meeting in April.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.