A senior EU official said the bloc had contacted NATO to see "how we can have arrangements" with the military alliance's Operation Sea Guardian in the eastern Mediterranean.

The move comes after an incident on Wednesday when a Greek vessel with Operation Irini was prevented from inspecting a suspicious freighter by its Turkish military escort.

Operation Irini was set up to halt the flow of arms into Libya, where the UN-recognised and Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has faced a major uprising by the forces of Russian-backed strongman Khalifa Haftar.

NATO's Operation Sea Guardian has two ships patrolling the Mediterranean to monitor shipping, deter terrorism and "project stability".

It gave information and logistical support to Irini's predecessor, Operation Sophia, for a number of years.

"Allies are currently discussing how NATO could support the EU's new maritime mission Irini," a NATO official said. "It is important that the UN arms embargo is fully implemented."

The situation in Libya will be on the agenda when NATO defence ministers hold video talks next week.

NATO member Turkey has strongly backed the GNA, which in recent weeks has recaptured all remaining outposts in western Libya from pro-Haftar loyalists, who had sought to seize the capital Tripoli in a 14-month offensive.

Changing Sea Guardian's activities to include helping Irini would need approval from all 30 NATO members -- meaning Ankara could potentially veto it.