Greece intercepts over 500 migrants near Crete, taking emergency actions due to rising Mediterranean crossings from Libya. The influx has overwhelmed local facilities, prompting the suspension of asylum processing for three months.

The European Commission appears to endorse Greek government plans to suspend some applications for asylum, in what civil society describe as a clear violation of EU and international law.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with Eastern Libya leader Khalifa Haftar and discussed migrant flows and maritime zones.

Greece will deploy two frigates and one more vessel off Libya's territorial waters to deter migrants from arriving at its southern islands of Crete and Gavdos, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday.

His son, Belkacem Haftar – head of the Organization for Reconstruction and Development and the official who met with Greek Foreign Minister G. Gerapetritis last Sunday – invited the Greek Consul General in Benghazi, A. Kalognomis, to his home on Wednesday evening to discuss bilateral cooperation planning.

Malta, Italy and Greece meet with Ursula von der Leyen to talk about Libya two days after EU delegation ordered to leave Benghazi

In a significant shift in migration policy, Greece is implementing stringent new measures to deter irregular flows, particularly from Libya.