In remarks to the press after the cabinet meeting, center-left Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni explained that the mission will not entail "sending large-scale Navy fleets", and that it is being undertaken on request from the Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
"The mission will make a very significant contribution to the fight against human traffickers and to manage the migratory flows towards our country," the Italian premier said.
"It is no more and no less than what the Libya government of national accord asked for," Gentiloni added.
Italy is at the forefront of the ongoing refugee crisis, because its southernmost islands are the first European landfall for thousands of people trying to cross the Mediterranean in a bid to flee war and famine in Africa and the Middle East.
The migrants and refugees entrust themselves to human traffickers to ferry them across, paying hefty sums and risking their lives on unseaworthy boats.
The main departure point is the Libyan coast.
Gentiloni did not disclose the details of the operation, which will be submitted to parliament's foreign and defense committees for approval next week.
The mission approval comes after Gentiloni met with Sarraj in Rome on Wednesday.
After that meeting, Gentiloni told the press that Italy may send Navy ships to fight migrant traffickers in the Mediterranean off Libya.
[globaltimes.cn/china.org.cn/Xinhua]
29/7/17
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