World Bulletin / News Desk

European Union governments approved a mission on Wednesday to help Libya improve its border security in response to concerns that militants and weapons move freely across the North African country's frontier.

The 110-member EU civilian team, expected to start deploying in Libya next month, will advise and train Libyan officials on how to strengthen the security of the country's land, sea and air borders, an EU statement said.

The EU team, being sent at Libya's request, will have a budget of 30 million euros ($39 million) for its first year and be based in Tripoli.

The Tripoli government has been beset by internal rifts and security remains a major concern long after a revolt and a NATO bombing campaign led to the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.

One of the triggers of the crisis in Mali in West Africa was the return from Libya of heavily armed fighters once in the pay of Gaddafi, regional security experts say.

Niger's foreign minister urged major powers in an interview with Reuters this month to act against militants who had found shelter in Libya's vast southern desert and, he said, posed a growing threat to neighbouring countries.