The European Union is set to activate the first phase of a plan to disrupt human trafficking in the Mediterranean and destroy the boats smugglers use to ships tens of thousands of migrants towards the continent, officials said.

The EU will start using ships, planes and drones for surveillance and intelligence-gathering, but stay away from politically sensitive actions such as boarding and destroying smuggling boats, officials added.

The full operation would require UN clearance and the consent of authorities in Libya, a major departure site for smugglers.

The official decision is expected to be revealed at Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers, with the plan due to be activated next week.

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