DHAKA: EU leaders are due to hold an emergency summit on ways to stem the number of migrants risking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

BBC Europe editor Katya Adler says draft proposals include a push for a military mandate to destroy boats used by people traffickers.

More than 800 people drowned off Libya’s coast on Sunday, bringing the number of deaths this year to 1,750.

Italian PM Matteo Renzi has called for direct action against people smugglers.

He described them as “the slave traders of the 21st Century”.

A draft statement for Thursday’s meeting in Brussels said leaders will commit to “undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers”.

It says EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini “is invited to immediately begin preparations for a possible security and defence policy operation to this effect, in accordance with international law”.

BDST: 0818 HRS, APR 22, 2015
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