The European Union on Monday agreed to limit the sales of inflatable boats to Libya in an effort to stem the flow of migrants into Europe. The plan set out by the bloc's 28 foreign ministers covers outboard motors and rubber dinghies.

"We took a decision to introduce restrictions from today onwards on the export and supply to Libya of the inflatable boats and motors," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.

"These are devices are used by traffickers for smuggling activities. This decision we have taken on the European Union level will help make their businesses and lives even more complicated," the former Italian foreign minister told journalists.

Read: Italy deals blow to citizenship rights for migrants

Watch video 01:13 On board a refugee rescue ship

The EU issued a statement saying there is now be a legal basis to block the supply of these boats to Libya if there are "reasonable grounds" to suspect they will be used by people smugglers and human traffickers.

But officials maintain that fishermen, and others who have legitimate needs for the dinghies and motors will still be able to import them.

Read: EU backs Italy in stand-off with NGOs over refugee rescue

Helping Libya

EU countries can deny licenses to import-export businesses suspected of supplying smugglers, according to EU sources.

The foreign ministers also extended until the end of 2018 an EU mission to help Libya re-establish effective controls mainly at its southern borders where sub-Saharan African migrants first arrive.

Libya has struggled to control its long, desolate, land borders with Sudan, Chad and Niger.

The EU has also trained 113 Libyan coast guard members in the last few months and plans to train another 75 starting in September, in another step to stem the flow of people, Mogherini told reporters.

Watch video 04:45 Share Rescue organizations in Italy under pressure Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2ezSe Rescue organizations in Italy under pressure

Italy is increasing pressure on the EU to stop the flow of migrants to its shores, including demands to make member states admit tens of thousands of migrants under a largely unenforced emergency plan launched nearly two years ago.

More than 100,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea since the start of the year, and 84 per cent have landed in Italy from Libya by boat, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Italian authorities say they have registered 85,000 migrant arrivals on its coasts in the first six months of the year.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Ousted after decades For more than 40 years, Moammar Gadhafi was the eccentric strongman in power in Libya. He was known for his odd behavior - and for his regime's ties to international terror groups. Libya was one of the countries swept up by the Arab Spring, and protests eventually turned into a civil war. Gadhafi fled but was eventually captured and killed In October, 2011.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Chance for peace After Gadhafi fell, the eyes of the world were on Libya in the hope that the country would have a smooth transition to democracy. By July 2012, democratic parliamentary elections had taken place, but it proved to be a challenge for the country's politicians to form a coalition and compromise on issues that would bring further stability.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Militias gaining strength Another problem facing Libya in the post-Gadhafi era was the rise of violent militias. While various armed groups did band together to topple the dictator, they did not have a common cause to rally around after his death. Instead, they fought each other. Terrorist groups were also on the rise in Libya, and staged a deadly attack on the US embassy in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Deeply divided Political divisions became deeper in the years following Gadhafi's ouster. The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is the internationally-recognized authority in Libya, but several factions on the ground are claiming a hold on power. Jihadist groups including the so-called 'Islamic State' have gained a significant foothold in the country, making any progress precarious.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Shifting sands At present, the Tripoli-based GNA controls parts of western and central Libya while Haftar's Libyan National Army holds much of the northeast. However, areas of power are constantly shifting due to ongoing "Islamic State" violence and the country's many different smaller factions.

Libya's rocky path to democracy Looking for help In recent weeks, Libya has reached out to NATO for assistance in strengthening the country's security institutions in an effort to end the power struggle between competing governments and militias. Leaders of two of the biggest groups - the GNA and the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army LNA - called for an end to the political and economic crises in the country. Author: Matt Zuvela



bik/rt (AFP, AP, dpa)