Senior officials reveal administration is ready to get UN sanctions lifted, in effort to stop ISIS from gaining ground in North Africa

US officials said President Barack Obama’s administration is ready to get a UN ban on arms exports to Libya lifted, to help the unity government fight Islamic State (ISIS) in the unstable North African state where the jihadists have gained ground.

“If the Libyan government prepares a detailed and coherent list of things that it wants to use to fight ISIL (ISIS), and responds to all the requirements of the exemption, I think that (UN Security) Council members are going to look very seriously at that request,” a senior administration official told AFP Friday.

“There is a very healthy desire inside of Libya to rid themselves of ISIL, and I think that is something we should be supporting and responding to.”

Back in March the UN Security Council passed a resolution to help the fight against ISIS in Libya, but did not lift the arms embargo.

Libya’s UN-backed unity government prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, with Egypt’s backing, has asked for the embargo to be lifted to help his government arm itself.

The US has already taken some actions to stop ISIS’s spread, and on Thursday it gave Tunisia communications technology, jeeps and small aircraft to help man the border with Libya.

Tunisian Defense Minister Farhar Horchani said his country also expects to receive attack aircraft, but he did not specify which country would provide them.

Regarding Libya, back in April French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned that the international community must be ready to take military action to support the local government.

Libya has been in chaos with rival factions fighting for control since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011 as part of the “Arab Spring.”

inn.com

Libya’s armed groups take aim at the jihadists, and each other…

ISLAMIC STATE (IS) in Libya is a popular target these days. From the east and south, the army of Khalifa Haftar, Libya’s most potent warlord, is moving on the coastal city of Sirte, which is controlled by some 5,000 jihadists. To the west, the UN-backed administration of Fayez al-Serraj has created an anti-IS command centre in Tripoli, the capital. And a rival government in the west is also preparing for the fight, as are tribes around Sirte.

It is a shame, then, that these groups are failing to work together. The main divide, as ever, is between the east, where General Haftar backs yet another government, and the west, where Mr Serraj is struggling to establish his authority. Each side sees the fight against IS as an opportunity to bolster its standing—at the other’s expense. They are both scrambling for Sirte and may soon take aim at each other, as well as the jihadists. The UN warns of civil war again.

America and Europe want Libya’s armed groups to unite under Mr Serraj, who was installed as prime minister after politicians from both sides of the country signed an agreement in December. But that deal has still not been approved by the parliament in the east, where some oppose handing control of the army to the new administration without guaranteeing the future of General Haftar.

Mr Serraj has hunkered down at a naval base since arriving in Tripoli on March 30th. After a smooth start, in which he was handed control of state institutions and backed by several militias, he has struggled to make progress. Citizens still suffer from power cuts, cash shortages and a lack of security. Worse, IS is on the move. On May 5th the jihadists took Abu Grain, 130km west of Sirte, without much of a fight from the forces aligned with Mr Serraj.

Needing to reassert some authority, Mr Serraj announced his new-command centre the following day. He has filled it with army officers from Misrata, home to dozens of linked militia groups that form the main rivals to General Haftar’s forces. Their focus is meant to be on the west of the country, to avoid an inter-regional conflict. But Misratan forces have already skirmished with General Haftar’s troops near Zillah, south of Sirte.

It is, for now, “a rhetorical race to Sirte”, says Jason Pack of Libya-Analysis, a consultancy. No one has actually attacked the jihadists. General Haftar, who is backed by Egypt and the UAE, is still consolidating his supply lines. But he seems eager to prove himself an indispensable ally in the West’s fight against IS—and to increase his influence in future negotiations over the shape of Libya’s government. Some believe he is hoping for Mr Serraj to fail, and then to assume the role of strongman.

On his way to Sirte General Haftar may try to snatch up oil facilities along the coast, which are protected by the semi-official Petroleum Facilities Guard. The black stuff is yet another cause of dispute between east and west. The national oil firm, which has pledged its allegiance to Mr Serraj, is the only body allowed to export oil, says the UN. But the eastern government has set up a parallel institution and tried: on April 25th a tanker carrying its first shipment was turned back from Malta.

The eastern government has since blocked all oil shipments from the port of Marsa el-Hariga. If its allies gain control of facilities in Brega, nearly all Libya’s already diminished oil exports could be cut off. That would deny Mr Serraj a critical source of revenue, and legitimacy—he, of course, has to pay salaries and run the state. Libya’s foreign reserves, used to keep it afloat, are running perilously low.

General Haftar is raising tensions in other ways. He has refused to meet Martin Kobler, the UN’s envoy to Libya. And he has struck an alliance with commanders who served under Muammar Qaddafi, Libya’s late dictator. IS, for its part, is likely to put up a vicious defence of its stronghold. America, Britain and France, which have troops on the ground in Libya, may eventually be forced to choose between backing Mr Haftar in his fight against IS in Sirte, or preserving the legitimacy of Mr Serraj.

economist.com

Forces in western Libya are preparing to advance on the city of Sirte, seized by DAESH last year, their spokesman said, pushing ahead with plans for a counter-attack after the group made territorial gains in the last week.

The fighters based in the city of Misrata would like international logistical support to help retake what has become DAESH’s most important base outside Syria and Iraq, but will not wait for it before launching the operation, they said.

“We are ready and we are preparing our security arrangements to attack Sirte,” said Brigadier General Mohamed al Gasri, spokesman for a newly formed military operations room in Misrata.

The operations room was set up by a UN-backed unity government, which arrived in Tripoli at the end of March.

European countries and the United States hope the unity government will be able to unite Libya’s rival political groups and armed factions to take on DAESH, though it is unclear how far its authority extends on the ground.

Misrata’s brigades have largely transferred their support to it from a self-declared government formed in Tripoli in 2014.

But the unity government has struggled to win support from another administration based the east and the military forces allied to it. They have also said they would move against Sirte, though past announcements have come to nothing.

Late last month the unity government urged both sides to hold off attacking Sirte before a unified command is created, fearing an uncoordinated offensive could lead to civil war.

“We need logistical support from the international community, and we need weapons and ammunition,” Gasri said. “Whether they’re going to support us or not, we will be there soon. We will not stand and watch.”

TRENCHES AND MINES

DAESH took advantage of the political turmoil and security vacuum after the uprising that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi five years ago to build a power base in Libya.

The Misrata brigades were present in Sirte as DAESH began to establish control, but withdrew last summer.

Though it has struggled to win support and hold territory in parts of Libya,DAESH controls a strip of more than 250 km (155 miles) of Libya’s central coastline, from which it has launched attacks to the east, west and south.

Over the last week it has made gains, carrying out suicide attacks in the sparsely populated area between Sirte and Misrata, including at a major checkpoint at Abu Grain.

Gasri confirmed that DAESH terrorist organisation took several villages in the area and that the line of defence was now at Assdada, about 80 km south of Misrata. The terrorists have dug trenches and planted mines around the Abu Grain checkpoint, he said.

Clashes erupted again late on Wednesday at Assdada, with one member of the security forces killed and 10 wounded, Misrata hospital spokesman Aziz Issa said. Thirteen members of the security forces were killed and 110 wounded in last week’s fighting, said Gasri.

Wounded fighters at a hospital in Misrata said suicide bombers had attacked in armoured vehicles last Thursday, one of which approached a checkpoint behind cars carrying families fleeing Sirte.

Misrata brigade members fought to defend the Abu Grain checkpoint for nearly an hour but were forced to withdraw as they were outnumbered, one said.

The eastern military has made some advances against its armed opponents, including fighters loyal to DAESH, in Benghazi, Libya’s second city.

Late on Monday the group said it had executed three men captured during fighting in Benghazi last month.

A hospital spokesman in Benghazi said two of those killed – including one who was beheaded – were volunteer nurses who had been helping treat wounded troops.

trtworld.com

Four members of military forces loyal to Libya’s new U.N.-backed unity government have been killed and 30 wounded in clashes with Islamic State (IS) insurgents near the western Libyan city of Misrata, a hospital spokesman said on Thursday.

Aziz Issa said the fighting was going on east of Assdada, around 80 km (50 miles) south of Misrata and the line of defense for brigades from the coastal city since IS militants captured several villages and checkpoints in the area late last week.

Assdada is also more than 150 km (90 miles) west of Sirte, Islamic State’s stronghold in the widely lawless North African country since last year.

The largest of the Misrata-based brigades support the unity government that is now gradually trying to stamp its authority on the country beyond its base in the capital Tripoli.

Commanders of an operations room set up by unity government authorities in Misrata say they are preparing an offensive to recapture Sirte. After several days of calm, fighting broke out at Assdada late on Wednesday.

European powers and the United States hope the unity government will be able to unite Libya’s rival political and armed factions to take on Islamic State.

But the unity government has struggled to win support from another administration based in eastern Libya and the military forces allied to it.

Islamic State controls a strip of more than 250 km (155 miles) of Libya’s central Mediterranean coastline, from which it has launched attacks to the east, west and south.

reuters.com

Forces in western Libya are preparing to advance on the city of Sirte, Daesh seized last year, their spokesman said, pushing ahead with plans for a counter-attack after the militants made territorial gains in the last week.

The fighters based in the city of Misrata would like international logistical support to help retake what has become Daesh’s most important base outside Syria and Iraq, but will not wait for it before launching the operation, they said.

“We are ready and we are preparing our security arrangements to attack Sirte,” said Brigadier General Mohamed Al Gasri, spokesman for a newly formed military operations room in Misrata.

“We need logistical support from the international community, and we need weapons and ammunition,” Gasri said. “Whether they’re going to support us or not, we will be there soon. We will not stand and watch.”

Gasri confirmed that Daesh took several villages in the area and that the line of defence was now at Assdada, about 80km south of Misrata.

The militants have dug trenches and planted mines around the Abu Grain checkpoint, he said.

Thirteen members of the security forces were killed and 110 wounded in last week’s fighting, Gasri said.

Wounded fighters at a hospital in Misrata said suicide bombers had attacked in armoured vehicles, one of which approached a checkpoint behind cars carrying families fleeing Sirte.

Misrata brigade members fought to defend the Abu Grain checkpoint for nearly an hour but were forced to withdraw as they were outnumbered, one said.

The eastern military has made some advances against its armed opponents, including fighters loyal to Daesh, in Benghazi, Libya’s second city.

Late on Monday, Daesh said it had executed three men captured during fighting in Benghazi last month.

A hospital spokesman in Benghazi said two of those killed – including one who was beheaded – were volunteer nurses who had been helping treat wounded troops.

The operations room was set up by a UN-backed unity government that arrived in Tripoli at the end of March.

European powers and the United States hope the unity government will be able to unite Libya’s rival political groups and armed factions to take on Daesh, though it is unclear how far its authority extends on the ground.

gulftoday.ae

Three different military operation rooms have been set up to eradicate ISIS group from the coastal city of Sirte, as militants of the group expanded west and seized more towns around Sirte.

In Tripoli, two operation rooms were set up by the two rival governments following last week’s ISIS attack on Abugrein. The UN-proposed government formed a six-member operation room to lead the military operations against ISIS in the districts between Misrata and Sirte.

In decision number one for 2016, it said this room would only receive orders from the Commander in Chief of the Libyan Army, which is the Presidency Council according to Skhirat agreement. It also banned any force to launch any attack on Sirte without prior permission from the PC.

The PC’s operation room has named six revolutionary fighters from Misrata as field commanders, but two of them have already refused.

On the same day, the Salvation Government formed a 10-member military operation room under the name of (Sirte Liberation Operation Room). The room would be located in Abugrein and it would be tasked with organizing the military operations for Sirte battle.

Both governments have allied forces.

In the east, rogue General Khalifa Haftar has also formed a military room for Sirte liberation. Backed with Sudanese and Chadian rebel groups, his militias are now positioned in Maradah, south of Ras Lanuf, as they were denied access to Ajdabiya.

These militias have been accused of attempting to take over oil fields and ports in the oil crescent region instead of attacking Sirte by hiring rebel groups from Sudan and Chad, while Dignity Operation militias are busy over the control of Benghazi, which now has entered its second year, but still in vain. The move toward Sirte by Haftar’s foreign militias is seen as political opportunism.

Both military operations from the west are most likely to engage in fighting against Khalifa Haftar’s, in addition to ISIS militants.

Last week, ISIS militants launched suicide attacks west of Sirte and took control of the towns of Abugrein, Wadi Zamzam, Abu Nijaim, Qaddahiyah, Al-Washakah, and Buwayrat.

libyaobserver.ly

According to El Khabar, Algerian security forces discovered that Libyan militants have created anti-tank missiles with materials left over from the 2011 Libyan war.

Algerian forces confiscated six missiles on March 10, 2016, during a mission to capture the leader of Al-Qaeda in North Africa, Kamal Arabiya. Expert analysis determined that the missiles were American stinger missiles for targeting aircraft, but they had been modified to hit land targets.

An Algerian security source told El Khabar that Libyan militants are attempting to manufacture their own anti-tank weaponry in addition to modifying old weapons left from the 2011 war.

A preliminary report on the confiscated missiles determined that they were in poor condition and not as dangerous as fully-functioning American stinger missiles.

albawaba.com

It makes no sense for the international community to urge Libya to tackle terrorism but at same deny it the weapons with which to do so, prime minister-designate Faieze Serraj has said.

Serraj returned today from a Cairo meeting of the Arab League where he urged both the ending of the UN arms embargo and the lifting of its freeze on Libya assets.

The Associated Press reported that Serraj protested to the League: “It doesn’t make sense that the international community supports our war against terrorism, and forbids us from arming ourselves.”

At an earlier meeting with Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi Serraj had been told that Egypt continued to support the end of the arms embargo. Sissi is also understood to have wished Serraj success and said he would continue to support the Libyan army. Cairo has long backed the Libyan National Army and had close ties with Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Hafter.

Serraj was travelling with deputy prime minister-designate Ahmed Maetig, who was said by Russian media today, to be calling for Moscow’s help against terrorists. According to Sputnik, Maetig argued that historically, Libya had had strong ties with Russia. “The majority of Libya’s officers have studied in Russia. That’s why we always call for Russia’s role in the struggle against terrorism in Libya and the creation of strong army”.

libyabizinfo.com/