World powers ready to arm unity government

World powers have said they are ready to arm Libya’s UN-backed unity government to help it fight the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group. Speaking at a meeting in Vienna, which was attended by diplomats from more than 20 countries, US Secretary of State John Kerry said world powers would back Libya in seeking exemption from […]

World powers have said they are ready to arm Libya’s UN-backed unity government to help it fight the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group.
Speaking at a meeting in Vienna, which was attended by diplomats from more than 20 countries, US Secretary of State John Kerry said world powers would back Libya in seeking exemption from a UN arms embargo.
He said IS was a “new threat” to Libya and it was “imperative” it was stopped.
Last month, the Libyan government warned that IS could seize most of the country if it was not halted soon.
Mr Kerry said: “The GNA [Government of National Accord] is the only entity that can unify the country. It is the only way to ensure that vital institutions… fall under representative and acknowledged authority.
“It is the only way to generate the cohesion necessary to defeat Daesh [IS].”