IS emergence in Libya threatens Europe, UK legislators warn
26 March 2015 5:29 AM IST
The worsening security situation in Libya has enabled the Islamic State (IS) terrorists to set up shop there, and illegal migration from the country could help the IS stage attacks in Europe, British legislators have warned.
The British House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday that Libya’s collapse since the overthrow of its former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has turned it into a potential security threat to Britain. “The fact that (IS) appears to have taken advantage of the chaos in Libya to establish itself there is a security concern reaching beyond Libya, and is further motivation for the international community to provide assistance,” the committee said. “Illegal migration through and from Libya is undoubtedly a major concern, not least because of a potential security threat from terrorists who could use this means to travel to Europe to conduct attacks.” The International Development Committee, on the other hand, said that youth unemployment in developing countries might cause unrest contributing to a rise in extremism.
The British foreign office said that it was working closely with allied countries and the UN to “help deliver a lasting political settlement that will bring an end to the violence” in Libya. Numerous militias govern their own patches of territory in Libya, with successive governments struggling to exercise control. The Foreign Affairs Committee said that there was a “particular responsibility” on Britain to help Libya “repair itself” and restore a stable government.
Britain supported anti-Gaddafi rebels with airstrikes to end his regime. After the Libyan leader was killed, attempts at establishing a democratic government have failed to bring stability.
The British House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday that Libya’s collapse since the overthrow of its former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has turned it into a potential security threat to Britain. “The fact that (IS) appears to have taken advantage of the chaos in Libya to establish itself there is a security concern reaching beyond Libya, and is further motivation for the international community to provide assistance,” the committee said. “Illegal migration through and from Libya is undoubtedly a major concern, not least because of a potential security threat from terrorists who could use this means to travel to Europe to conduct attacks.” The International Development Committee, on the other hand, said that youth unemployment in developing countries might cause unrest contributing to a rise in extremism.
The British foreign office said that it was working closely with allied countries and the UN to “help deliver a lasting political settlement that will bring an end to the violence” in Libya. Numerous militias govern their own patches of territory in Libya, with successive governments struggling to exercise control. The Foreign Affairs Committee said that there was a “particular responsibility” on Britain to help Libya “repair itself” and restore a stable government.
Britain supported anti-Gaddafi rebels with airstrikes to end his regime. After the Libyan leader was killed, attempts at establishing a democratic government have failed to bring stability.
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