With Libya On The Brink of Civil War, U.S. Deploys Forces Nearby

U.S. Moves More Forces Closer To Libya As Unrest Grows -- Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has increased the number of Marines and aircraft stationed in Sicily who could be called upon to evacuate Americans from the U.S. embassy in Tripoli as unrest in Libya grows, two U.S. officials said on Monday.

About 60 more Marines and another four Osprey aircraft, whose tilt-rotar engines allow it to land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane, were being sent to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily from their base in Spain.

That brings the total number of Marines stationed as a precaution in Sicily to around 250, the two officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Their location in Italy moves them closer to Libya, speeding response times.

One U.S. official added that forces at Sigonella were on heightened alert.

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More News On The Crisis In Libya

Libya evacuation decision 'minute by minute,' U.S. official says -- CNN
US mulling whether to close Libya embassy -- Global Times/AFP
U.S. considering evacuation of embassy in Libya -- UPI
Lawless Libya edges closer to civil war -- Daily Star
Libya heads towards civil war as Islamists fight coup plotters -- The Times
Libyan troops and militias take sides as crisis deepens -- The National
Libya Deploys Islamist Militias Against Rogue General -- WSJ
Libyan parliament recess urged as crisis grows -- BBC
Libya's Fragile Peace Is Smashed as Gunmen Seize Parliament -- Vice
Renegade Libyan General's Group Calls for Parliament to be Suspended -- WSJ
Turmoil spreads across Libya as air base joins renegade general’s forces -- Irish Times
Elite Libya unit backs drive of rogue general -- Gulf Times/AFP
Libyan air force base in eastern city says joins forces of renegade general -- Reuters
Former Libyan General Gains New Allies In Fight Against Government -- IBTimes
Saudi Arabia Closes Embassy In Libyan Capital -- RTT News
Benghazi clashes highlight Libya’s ongoing security crisis -- Al-Monitor
Khalifa Hiftar, the ex-general leading a revolt in Libya, spent years in exile in Northern Virginia -- Washington Post