Skip to main content

Islamic State covets Libya as global terror base, envoy warns

Libyan diplomat Aref Ali Nayed urges Washington to step up its involvement in the country.
The representative of the National Transitional Council, New Libyan Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Aref Ali Nayed (L) speaks during a news conference next to Libyan Stabilization Minister Ahmed Jehani (R) at Libyan consulate, in Dubai August 21, 2011. REUTERS/Mosab Omar (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2Q6H4

One of Libya’s senior diplomats is in Washington this week on a lonely mission to drag the US back into the Libyan fray.

Aref Ali Nayed, the Bayda-based government’s ambassador to the UAE, says the Islamic State (IS), or ISIS, risks taking over Libya and turning it into a global terrorism base. He wants help kicking IS militants out — along with the rival Libyan Dawn government in Tripoli that he says made their rise possible.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.