Libya Does Not Want A U.S. Bombing Campiagn To Stop The Rise of The Islamic State In Their Country

Libya's internationally recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni (C) attends a meeting with ministers as well as leaders of the Libyan army in Benghazi, February 1, 2015. Reuters/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Eli Lake & Josh Rogin, Bloomberg: Libya Warns U.S. Bombs Can't Stop Terrorists' Rise

The internationally recognized government of Libya says there are more than 5,000 fighters allied with the Islamic State operating inside the country -- far more than previous estimates -- yet it doesn't want the U.S. to expand its Middle Eastern air war there because it's unlikely to help.

Wafa Bugaighis, the charge d’affaires of the Libyan Embassy in Washington, told us Friday that her embattled government, now in refuge in the eastern city of Tobruk, is facing a desperate situation caused by an epic conflagration of terrorism, economic collapse, political chaos and civil war with a rival government in the capital of Tripoli. Libya badly needs international aid, including military assistance, she said. But the U.S.-led international coalition currently bombing in Iraq and Syria should stay out of Libya; airstrikes can’t solve the problem of the Islamic State.

More News On The Libyan Crisis

Libya rejects U.S.-led offensive against Islamic State, seeks aid -- Washington Times
All eyes on Tobruk, Tripoli representatives hoping for agreement on UN proposal -- Malta Online
518 violent deaths registered in Libya in 1st quarter of 2015 -- Libya Herald
Suicide bomber kills four near Libya's Misrata, air strikes hit Tripoli outskirts -- Reuters
Four dead in Libya suicide bombing claimed by IS -- AFP
Libya Suicide Bomber Kills 4 Near Misrata Checkpoint -- VOA/Reuters
Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Suicide Bombing in Libya -- VICE News
18 killed in rival clashes near Libya's Tripoli -- Xinhua
Rival Libyan forces clash near Tripoli -- AFP
As war grows, Libya's official government in new bid for oil cash -- Reuters
One of Libya’s Rival Governments Moves to Control Oil Revenue -- NYT
Libya's biggest crude oil export terminal could reopen in two weeks -- IBTimes
Libya expects more oil production soon, report -- UPI
Libya’s biggest oil port may reopen as groups vie for buyers -- Fuel Fix
Libya: A tale of two governments -- Al Jazeera
Libya’s second civil war -- Patrick Haimzadeh, Le Monde Diplomatique