The European Union is urging Libyan politicians to back a unity government in the wake of deadly suicide attacks claimed by ISIL. The EU says it will set aside more than a hundred million US dollars to help combat the terrorist group, but only if stability can return on the political front.
The European Union has watched with alarm as ISIL established a foothold in Libya amid the chaos that followed the overthrow and death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
A change of regime that was assisted by NATO airstrikes involving many European nations. ISIL has full control of Gaddafi's hometown Sirte and is now attempting to press into the oilfields around Ras Lanuf, sparking fears of a jihadist expansion on Europe's doorstep.
Last week ISIL claimed responsibility for two deadly suicide attacks that killed dozens of people. Despite this and the clear intention of ISIL to use Libya as a hub for expanding its activities in North Africa the European Union has ruled out direct military intervention.
European leaders say Libya's two rival governments must form a unity government and only then can they provide assistance which would begin with 108 million US dollars to help combat ISIL on top of humanitarian assistance that has also been promised by Brussels.
If and when an agreement can be reached analysts say the E.U. is also likely to provide military assistance, though it would probably be restricted to training missions and deployments of Special Forces to assist regular Libyan troops dislodge ISIL.
The terror attacks in France have highlighted the threat that ISIL poses to E.U., which is also focused on slowing the flow of asylum seekers who travel to Europe from Africa, most of who transit through Libya where most of the country remains lawless.