Libyan Prime Minister Asks Russia to Battle against ISIS Terrorists
In an interview with Sputnik, Libyan Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani has signaled his country's readiness to coordinate efforts with Russia if it decides to fight ISIS, also known as the ISIL, on Libyan territory.
"We want Russia to enter the fight against ISIL in Libya, and the Libyan government is ready to coordinate steps at the highest levels for the purpose, Al-Thani said."
He added that Libyan authorities welcome initiatives from any country which provides support and helps restore stability in Libya.
According to him, Libyan authorities expect the arrival in their country of a large number of ISIS militants who fled the Russian air strikes in Syria, with many of them already in Libya.
The prime minister mentioned an array of ISIS leaders who he said have arrived in Libya in the past and who come from Algeria, Syria and Afghanistan.
Libya is now undergoing through a political gridlock that came after the overthrow, public lynching and execution of Muammar Gaddafi during the armed conflict in 2011.
A standoff has emerged between the legally-elected parliament, based in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk, and the pro-Islamic General National Congress in the capital Tripoli, Sputnik said.
A number of areas in Libya remain out of control of the country's authorities.
On September 30, more than fifty Russian aircraft, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 warplanes, commenced precision airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria at the behest of Syrian President Bashar Assad; IRNA reported.
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