Sputnik.news
© REUTERS/ AMIR COHEN
Arab countries do not provide enough aid for the legitimate Libyan government to counter terrorism in the country, Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Araby stated Tuesday.
An Arab League Cairo session was called by Libyan authorities following recent attacks on civilians in Libya conducted by Islamic State (ISIL) militants in the last few weeks. Member country representatives have urged the Arab League to conduct airstrikes on ISIL positions in Libya.
The secretary-general stated it was necessary to provide the Libyan government with urgent support and called for “emergency aid” to the country in its fight with ISIL and other terrorist groups.
The Arab League previously called for support for Libyan army forces in fighting terrorist groups during a Sharm el-Sheikh summit in March.
Libya has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when Arab Spring protests led to the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country currently has two rival governments. The internationally recognized authority is based in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk, while a self-proclaimed government body controls the capital Tripoli.
ISIL is a violent extremist religious group occupying large areas in Iraq and Syria. ISIL claims operatives in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan and other locations across the Middle East and North Africa.
