EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has trouble ahead | EPA EU approves military force against smugglers The focus now shifts to winning UN approval to take the fight into Libyan territory.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels Monday approved plans for an unprecedented naval operation against the smuggling of refugees from north Africa to Europe, but questions still remained about how far the fight could be taken.

Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the EU could now begin logistical planning of the operation. She added she would continue efforts to win approval from the UN for military action in Libya, considered critical to success because it is where most of the smugglers are based.

Making the plans operational — including determining which countries will provide naval forces and capabilities — will be a test of the EU's common defense policy in the coming weeks.

"This shows that when there is the political will, the EU acts quickly,” Mogherini told reporters after the meeting.

The operation, she said, will be carried out in phases. Planning and initial surveillance and assessment of human smuggling networks in the Mediterranean will be conducted as soon as possible. The second and third phases would involve search, seizure and disruption of the smugglers’ assets, “based on international law and in partnership with Libyan authorities.”

The operation will be commanded in Rome by Italian Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino. The cost of the operation is estimated by the Council of Ministers at €11.82 million for a two-month start-up phase plus an initial mandate of 12 months.

Mogherini also said she hoped that the full operation would be ready for a launch — taking into account the recommendations of the commander — by the time of the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting, scheduled for June 22.

In the meantime she is still working to get the UN approval.

“We are looking for partnership with all the relevant Libyan authorities, and I think this can also facilitate a resolution in the UN Security Council," Mogherini said earlier Monday as she entered the meeting.

The four EU countries in the Security Council — permanent members France and the UK and temporary members Spain and Lithuania — have already drafted a UN resolution under Chapter VII, which would allow the use of military force on Libyan territory.

Mogherini said she is optimistic about getting the UN approval. During her trip to New York last week she has seen "no major political resistance or opposition," she said.

The resolution is important to the EU plans. Without the consent of the Security Council, EU ships or airplanes won't be allowed to enter Libyan waters or airspace, which would radically diminish the possibility to fight the human traffickers who send boats with refugees over the Mediterranean.

Around 1,800 migrants have died already this year during these dangerous passages across the Mediterranean in ships that are barely seaworthy.

Russia has made clear that it opposes the use of jets and helicopters and would support only a naval operation. Another option would be a limited use of ground troops.

Libya is currently divided into two rival governments and partly controlled by clans or terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, which complicates any sort of cooperation with the country.

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg, also attending Monday's meeting, warned that fighters from Islamic extremist groups could also be making the crossing, posing an additional security threat.

"One of the problems is that there might be foreign fighters, there might be terrorists trying to hide, trying to blend in among the migrants," Stoltenberg said, according to Agence France-Presse.

Stoltenberg said that so far the EU had not asked for help from NATO but the alliance was "ready to help if there is a request."

Meeting with defense ministers

EU foreign ministers also held a working lunch with their defense colleagues Monday.

On the table was the question of the feasibility of the EU military operation. The current EU border patrol mission in the Mediterranean, Triton, consists mostly of coast guard ships not equipped for military strikes.

But there is movement. The UK has already commanded the HMS Bulwark warship into the region. Germany has sent the frigate Hessen and the supply ship Berlin. France and Italy also deployed naval forces in the sea.

More ships could follow very soon.

This article was updated at 6:38 pm with additional reporting.

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