Brussels, Aug. 26 (LaPresse) – "We have read the media reports" regarding gunfire by the Libyan Coast Guard at the rescue ship Ocean Viking, operated by the NGO SOS Méditerranée. "We have contacted the relevant Libyan authorities regarding this reported incident in order to clarify the facts. It is now up to the competent Libyan authorities to urgently shed light on what happened," said European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert during the daily press briefing.
"We are currently establishing the facts, so we are not discussing possible consequences or the impact for now — the focus is on fact-finding. We are in contact with the Libyan authorities to ascertain the facts," he added.
The EU finances Libyan Coast Guard vessels as part of efforts to counter irregular migration, and Italy has also donated patrol boats to the Libyan authorities.