U.N. mulls allowing EU to search boats for illicit arms off Libya

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini attends a news conference at Colombia's Foreign Ministry in Bogota, Colombia, May 26, 2016. REUTERS/John Vizcaino

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The European Union on Monday proposed expanding a United Nations Security Council mandate for a European naval operation to allow it to crack down on arms smuggling in the high seas off war-torn Libya, though Russia voiced concerns about the idea.

Britain circulated a draft resolution to approve the measure to the 15-member council. A copy of the draft, seen by Reuters, expressed concern that smuggled arms "may be used by terrorist groups operating in Libya, including by ISIL (Islamic State)." In October, the council authorized the European naval operation to seize and dispose of boats operated by human traffickers.