Egyptian, Libyan foreign ministers discuss worsening security situation in Libya

Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry has pledged to ensure international backing to the official Libyan government as well as to provide necessary security support to the chaos-torn North African state.

In a phone conversation with his Libyan counterpart Ahmed Al-Dairi, Shoukry discussed the exacerbating security situation in the coastal city of Sirte, held by the Islamic State group, and the “horrific human violations carried out by [the group] against unarmed civilians there,” a statement by the foreign ministry said.

Shoukri said Egypt will “redouble efforts to ensure international backing to the legitimate Libyan government and upholding the Security Council’s decision to provide necessary support and security assistance to the government.”

Two resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council in March left an arms embargo imposed in 2011 on the North African state while emphasizing “the importance of providing support and assistance to the government of Libya, including by providing it with the necessary security and capacity building assistance.”

Libya has descended into chaos four years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with two rival governments backed by militia brigades battling for control of the oil-producing country.

The official government has been based in eastern Libya since losing control of the capital Tripoli a year ago to an alliance of armed groups that declared its own administration. Islamic State and other armed groups have expanded in the growing security vacuum.

Both governments have carried out air strikes against Islamic State in Sirte in recent days but with limited military capabilities. The internationally recognized government has called on fellow Arab states to conduct air strikes against the militant group in the city, Gaddafi’s hometown.

A Saudi-led Arab coalition started launching air strikes in Yemen in late March in an attempt to check an advance by the Shia Houthi rebels threatening to topple Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

source:Ahram Online