UK Backs Future Libyan Interim Gov’t, Rules Out Boots on Ground

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said that he did not think British troops in Libya would present a "helpful solution."

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The United Kingdom supports a future interim Libyan government, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Tuesday, ruling out a military campaign on the ground.

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said earlier he expected new proposals on the makeup of the Government of National Accord (GNA) by February 9 after Libyan lawmakers rejected its initial layout last week.

"We will certainly want to support the new Libyan government in any practical way we can but I don't envisage that there will be a situation where we need or want to put combat troop boots on the ground," Hammond said in Rome.

The Pentagon said last Wednesday it was exploring the possibility of a military presence in the North African state to combat the Islamic State (ISIL) also known as Daesh, jihadist group.

Hammond stressed he did not think British troops in Libya would present a "helpful solution."

"There are plenty of armed men in Libya. What they need is organization, command and control, air gathered intelligence, strategic organization," Hammond reaffirmed.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned in December that Daesh was expanding inward from the northern Libyan coast under its control, raising the possibility of another migratory wave to the European Union.