David Cameron drafts plans to attack IS in Libya
UK government investigating possible links between Islamic State in Libya and the recent terrorist attacks in Tunisia
![150727-isis.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4aSYruGXChjJXdEBaQN3ke-415-80.jpg)
David Cameron is preparing to take on "one of the biggest threats" to international security, by ordering officials to undertake "initial planning" for a new military intervention against Islamic State in Libya, reports say.
"Islamic State is one of the biggest threats our world has faced," the PM said yesterday. "We will only defeat these brutal terrorists if we take action at home, overseas and online and if we unite with countries around the world against this common enemy."
Cameron indicated that as well as any military intervention he would like to work with allies to begin to establish a stable government in Libya, the Press Association reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We should be working and are working with other partners to help the new Libyan government as it gets formed. So that's helping with advice and support and capacity building in their government departments," he said.
"The problem in Libya has been they haven't had a government that has been able to deliver, and that should be our focus. That is why, for instance, we tried helping with training military personnel, so we should go on doing all of these things."
Baroness Anelay, the foreign office minister, said the government is currently "investigating possible links between Islamic State in Libya and the recent terrorist attacks in Tunisia. We are working with Libya's neighbours to enhance their capacity to tackle the threat," she said.
The UK may try to combat IS in Libya by training local troops within the country to combat IS fighters and helping Libyan authorities to plan and organise their security operations, the Daily Telegraph reports, but "air strikes are not believed to form part of the initial Libya planning."
A foreign office spokesman told the paper that the "immediate priority" was to support a "ceasefire and a stable political settlement" in the country.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Did Kamala Harris kill brat?
Talking Point Pop culture phenomenon co-opted by presidential candidate sparks claims brat is over
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Iran at the nuclear crossroads
The Explainer Officials 'openly threatening' to build nuclear bomb, as watchdog finds large increase in enriched uranium stockpile
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published