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| Royal Navy 'could tackle people smugglers' in Mediterranean | Royal Navy 'could tackle people smugglers' in Mediterranean |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A Royal Navy warship could be involved in operations to target people traffickers in the Mediterranean Sea, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A Royal Navy warship could be involved in operations to target people traffickers in the Mediterranean Sea, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| HMS Richmond could be used to board and seize vessels off the coast of Libya. | HMS Richmond could be used to board and seize vessels off the coast of Libya. |
| It would be the UK's contribution to an operation which is expected to be approved by the European Union. | It would be the UK's contribution to an operation which is expected to be approved by the European Union. |
| Royal Navy ships have rescued thousands of migrants trying to get to Europe, and the defence secretary said it was time to move to the "next phase". | Royal Navy ships have rescued thousands of migrants trying to get to Europe, and the defence secretary said it was time to move to the "next phase". |
| BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the offer of the frigate, which will be made at an EU force conference on Wednesday, was a sign of a more aggressive response to the migrant crisis. | BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said the offer of the frigate, which will be made at an EU force conference on Wednesday, was a sign of a more aggressive response to the migrant crisis. |
| "However, Richmond would only operate in international waters - at least 12 miles off the Libyan coast," he said. | "However, Richmond would only operate in international waters - at least 12 miles off the Libyan coast," he said. |
| "That raises questions as to how effective this new phase of the mission will be." | "That raises questions as to how effective this new phase of the mission will be." |
| 'Will not stand by' | 'Will not stand by' |
| HMS Bulwark has already been involved in a search and rescue mission, saving the lives of migrants crammed into fishing boats and rubber dinghies as they made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe. | |
| More recently a survey ship, HMS Enterprise, has been carrying out surveillance, identifying migrant flows and gaining information on the activities of the people smugglers. | More recently a survey ship, HMS Enterprise, has been carrying out surveillance, identifying migrant flows and gaining information on the activities of the people smugglers. |
| Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "The vital work of HMS Bulwark, HMS Enterprise and our Merlin helicopters shows the UK's commitment to tackling the refugee crisis at source. | Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "The vital work of HMS Bulwark, HMS Enterprise and our Merlin helicopters shows the UK's commitment to tackling the refugee crisis at source. |
| "The Royal Navy has rescued thousands of people from peril but we've been clear we have to tackle the gangs behind this, which is why it's important the mission moves to the next phase. | "The Royal Navy has rescued thousands of people from peril but we've been clear we have to tackle the gangs behind this, which is why it's important the mission moves to the next phase. |
| "We will not stand by and let this smuggling trade escalate; we will confront this criminal activity which risks the lives of innocent people every day." | "We will not stand by and let this smuggling trade escalate; we will confront this criminal activity which risks the lives of innocent people every day." |
| Europe has been struggling to deal with a huge influx of refugees - most are fleeing the conflict in Syria but large numbers are also escaping from violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo. | Europe has been struggling to deal with a huge influx of refugees - most are fleeing the conflict in Syria but large numbers are also escaping from violence and poverty in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Kosovo. |
| In the latest developments, Hungary has closed its border with Serbia by building a new razor-wire fence. | |
| Several other countries have tightened their border controls, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. | Several other countries have tightened their border controls, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. |
| The vast of majority of Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. | The vast of majority of Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. |
| On Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron visited refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, and pledged more aid money to help those countries deal with the surge. | On Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron visited refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, and pledged more aid money to help those countries deal with the surge. |
| He said a failure to boost spending for such camps would mean many more people would try to reach Europe. | He said a failure to boost spending for such camps would mean many more people would try to reach Europe. |
| The UK has agreed to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years but the prime minister has come under pressure to do more. | The UK has agreed to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years but the prime minister has come under pressure to do more. |