Obama warns of IS focus in Libya

US president, Barrack Obama has warned that the Islamic state (IS) recruits are increasingly heading to Libya following the setbacks the militant group has suffered in Iraq and Syria.

Obama also assured that the US will continue efforts to beat it back in Libya, BBC reports.

Last week, president Obama had said the worst mistake” of his presidency was his failure to plan for the aftermath of the ousting of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The country has been in chaos since then.

A new UN backed government arrived in Libya’s capital, Tripoli earlier this month in the hope of restoring order in the country controlled by rival militias.

IS has has for long exploited the chaos to gain a foothold in the North African state.

Last year, the group appealed to its sympathisers in Africa to go to Libya, which it sees as a gateway for attacks in Europe.

Refugees and migrants are also increasingly using the country to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
Obama said the number of IS fighters was at its lowest in two years because of the offensive against it by a 66-member coalition.

“We are going to continue to use the full range of our tools to roll Isil back from Libya while insisting the new, nascent Libyan government works to secure their country,” he added.

A top US Commander for Africa, David Rodriguez said Us estimates suggest the number of IS fighters in Libya probably doubled in the past 12 to 18 months.