EU
foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini has pleaded for UN help to dismantle
criminal groups smuggling migrants into the European Union.
"We
need to count on your support to save lives," she told a Security Council
briefing on EU plans to use force against smugglers.
Libya,
where many smugglers operate, has objected to the EU proposals.
More
than 1,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in 2015 - a 20-fold increase
on the same period in 2014.
Some
60,000 people have already tried to make the perilous crossing this year, the
UN estimates.
Many
are fleeing conflict or poverty in countries such as Syria, Eritrea, Nigeria
and Somalia.
……….By
Faith Gabriella.
