France warns about situation in Libya

Paris, Sep 9 (IANS/EFE) French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned Tuesday of threats of jihadi groups taking control of Libya, and noted that although his country is capable of military intervention, it "cannot act alone in this situation".

In an interview with Europe 1 radio station, Le Drian said that jihadi groups were starting to play an important role in Tripoli, Benghazi and in the south of the country which has become a centre for weapons and jihadi outfits.

"Libya is my main concern" because it was a "fully destroyed" country that was also "a gateway to Europe and a gateway to Africa," the French defence minister said.

Le Drian spoke while attending an informal European Union meeting on the issue in Milan.

In another interview published in the daily Le Figaro, Le Drian addressed other European ministers, aiming to convince them to "act in Libya" and mobilise the international community.

He explained that the French military force in the Sahel region posted to prevent the resurgence of terrorism, such as that which emerged in Mali last year, could move north to the Libyan border after consultation with the Algerians. The Algerians "are major players in this region" and "also have an interest in tackling the jihadi crisis", he said.

--IANS/EFE

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