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
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.
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.
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
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published