The U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution to authorize the European Union and individual countries to seize migrant-smuggling vessels on the high seas off Libya.

The resolution is under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which means it can be militarily enforced. It also authorizes the EU and individual nations to board vessels "with a view to saving the threatened lives of migrants or of victims of human trafficking." The search-and-seizure operation is authorized for one year.

The resolution says migrants "should be treated with humanity and dignity." Council diplomats say migrants on vessels that are seized would be taken to Italy.

The EU initially wanted a naval operation that could operate in Libyan territorial waters but Libya objected.

The International Organization for Migration says 2,987 migrants have died so far in 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea.