German foreign minister wants to name countries sending arms to Libya
"You cannot refrain from naming these countries publicly in the long run. The willingness to do so is constantly growing in the EU," he said in an interview with dpa.
The European Union has launched a naval mission to monitor the UN arms embargo, which has been in place for nine years. Satellite surveillance allows weapons deliveries to be followed but so far they have not been stopped.
Information on violations is currently only shared with the United Nations. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently said Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia were among the countries sending arms into the war-torn country.
The EU has so far refrained from openly criticizing these countries.
"I think that will come," said Maas, whose country takes over the bloc's rotating six-month presidency from Wednesday.
Germany has played a moderating role in efforts to resolve the conflict, having hosted an international summit in Berlin in January.
Several world leaders agreed at that meeting to uphold the long-flouted arms embargo, but little change has been seen in practice.
Maas said Germany is not currently planning a follow-up summit.
Oil-wealthy Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 revolt toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
European countries are keen to resolve the conflict in order to stem the flow of migrants reaching the continent from the North African country.
