Libya PM calls for unity behind ISIS offensive

The head of Libya’s unity government on Tuesday urged Libyans to rally behind forces battling to retake the city of Sirte from the Islamic State group.
Prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj said advances by pro-government fighters in the jihadist group’s North African stronghold should be a model for “a national initiative to fight
terrorism”.
“We bless the victories of our sons on the front lines… in the fight to liberate Sirte and cleanse it” of ISIS, he said.
Forces loyal to the UN-backed Governemnt of National Accord (GNA) have been fighting since mid-May to oust ISIS from Sirte, 450km east of the capital Tripoli.
A parallel force based in eastern Libya, including local militias and units of the national army loyal to a controversial general, Khalifa Haftar, is not taking part in the operation.