U.S. vows to stop ISIS from building base in Libya
The militant group has established a base with thousands of fighters in the coastal city of Sirte, hometown of late dictator Qaddafi
President Barack Obama has vowed not to let ISIS build a base in Libya, saying the United States would take action where there was a "clear target."
"We are working with our other coalition partners to make sure that, as we see opportunities to prevent ISIS from digging in in Libya, we take them," Obama said.
"We will continue to take actions where we got a clear operation and a clear target in mind."
The militant group has established a base with thousands of fighters in the coastal city of Sirte.
The hometown of late dictator Muammar Qaddafi, the city is a strategic port near oilfields that could provide a lucrative source of income.
"The tragedy of Libya over the last several years is Libya has a relatively small population and a lot of oil wealth, and could be really successful," said Obama.
Since rebels and Western airpower toppled Qaddafi’s regime in 2011, the country has effectively lacked a government.
Also Read
-
As Libya forms unity govt, is ISIS really the country’s biggest threat?
Libyan society is heavily governed by tribalism and regionalism, which have been increasingly reflected in its politics Features -
Is ISIS preparing to relocate to Libya?
I have already written that ISIS seems to be preparing for defeat in Syria and Iraq. I wrote that Assad is being bolstered by Russia, the Kurds are ... Middle East -
‘No time to lose’ to install Libya unity government
Foreign ministers put pressure on Libya to finalize its unity government and head off the growing threat from ISIS Middle East -
ISIS shoots down fighter jet in Libya’s Benghazi
A military source said the pilot survived having parachuted to safety, but his whereabouts were not immediately clear Middle East -
U.S. envoy says ISIS in Libya biggest cause for concern
The U.S. envoy to the coalition against ISIS said the militant group’s branch in Libya is the greatest cause of concern Middle East -
Egypt tells Libya to lead anti-ISIS effort
Libya needs to form a unified government before any military intervention against ISIS, says Egypt’s foreign minister Middle East -
Libya faces hurdles to quick action against ISIS
ISIS forces have attacked Libya’s oil infrastructure and taken control of the city of Sirte, exploiting a power vacuum in the North African country Middle East
