Britain lauds inclusion of Libyan groups in terror list

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has welcomed the UN Security Council's decision to put Libya's Ansar Al Sharia Benghazi (AAS-B) and Ansar Al Sharia Derna (AAS-D) in the list of terrorist organisations.

Both groups have links with Al Qaeda and are responsible for acts of terror in Libya, including bomb attacks, kidnappings, and murder, said Hammond in a statement issued by the government Wednesday.

The decision sent a clear message that the international community would take action against extremist groups in Libya who pose a threat to peace and security, he stated.

It is incumbent on all Libyans to reject these groups and all they stand for, the foreign secretary said.

Britain wanted all parties in Libya to cease fighting immediately and fully supported the mediation efforts of Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bernardino Leon, in pursuing an inclusive and broad-based dialogue, Hammond added.