The prime minister of Libya’s UN-backed government said “total victory” against Daesh in its main stronghold is near, as forces close in on the coastal city of Sirte.
Fayez Al-Serraj told France’s the Journal du dimanche newspaper in comments published Sunday that his government needs international intelligence and technical assistance, but “not airstrikes.”
The premier has ruled out an international military intervention to fight Daesh, which has had a growing presence in the country since 2014.
Some 25 nations including the United States and Russia agreed last month to help Libya arm itself against the terrorists, but Sarraj said he would not allow foreign troops on the ground.
The Government of National Accord (GNA), established in Tripoli more than two months ago, has been trying to unify violence-ridden Libya and exert its control over the entire North African country.
However, it faces opposition from a competing authority based in the east which has its own armed forces — militias and some units of the national army — commanded by controversial General Khalifa Haftar.
Both bodies are currently engaged in a race to be the first to drive the Daesh group out of the coastal city of Sirte, a bastion for terrorists in the country.
On Saturday, forces loyal to the GNA said they had retaken a militant air base near the city.

Source : Arab News