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| Libya: US backs arming of government for IS fight | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US and other 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. | The US and other 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 in Vienna, US Secretary of State John Kerry said world powers would back Libya in seeking exemption from a UN arms embargo. | Speaking in Vienna, 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. | 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]." | |
| Aid acceleration | |
| Mr Kerry said support for arming the government was part of a package of measures agreed at the meeting, which included accelerating non-military aid to Libya. | |
| He said that as well as countering IS, the GNA should take full control of Libyan ministries, backed by the international community. | |
| The North African country has been in chaos since Nato-backed forces overthrew long-time ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011. | The North African country has been in chaos since Nato-backed forces overthrew long-time ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011. |
| Until recently it had two rival governments competing for power, and there are still hundreds of militias, some allied to IS. | Until recently it had two rival governments competing for power, and there are still hundreds of militias, some allied to IS. |
| Western nations hope the unity government will take on IS, which has a foothold in Sirte - the home town of Gaddafi. | Western nations hope the unity government will take on IS, which has a foothold in Sirte - the home town of Gaddafi. |
| The militant group has launched a series of suicide bombings and attacks on oil facilities in the country. | The militant group has launched a series of suicide bombings and attacks on oil facilities in the country. |