EU could evacuate Libyan city by sea if UN asks

European Commission officials declared, on 6 April 2011, that EU can send ships to evacuate the civilian population of the rebel coastal city of Misrata, which is under siege from Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

The Commission confirmed that the humanitarian situation in Misrata was ‘extremely worrying’, but admitted that it lacked information on the latest developments.

Michael Mann, spokesperson for EU foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton, said that a decision adopted on 1 April 2011 allowed the EU to use military equipment for a humanitarian operation in a situation such the one in Misrata.

ESO: Background information: EU sends envoys to Libya's rebel capital http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-sends-envoys-to-libyas-rebel-capital/

ESO: Background information: London talks focus on Libya’s future http://www.europeansources.info/record/london-talks-focus-on-libyas-future/

http://eeas.europa.eu/ http://eeas.europa.eu/

---