US eyes Libya developments, Daesh threats

U.S. military forces are on the ground in Libya looking for potential partners in what could soon be an expanded campaign against Daesh terror group, the Pentagon said.

"There have been some U.S. forces in Libya trying to establish contact with forces on the ground," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters Wednesday. “Get a better sense of who the players are, who might be worthy of U.S. support and support from some of our partners going forward.”

Cook described the U.S. contingent as a small group, adding they were in Libya "at the concurrence of Libyan officials.”

While not the biggest fighting force in Libya, Daesh has been growing stronger there in recent months, cementing its hold on the city of Sirte and surrounding areas.

“This is a situation that does cause us concern, and we’re considering what our options might be going forward should that threat, Desh, become an even bigger threat,” Cook said.

Cook’s comments come just days after the top U.S. military officer warned that Daesh in Libya posed a pressing regional threat.

Despite the presence of U.S. special forces on the ground in Libya, the Pentagon rejected the notion of sending traditional U.S. forces, or “boots on the ground,” to Libya.

"Right now, that's not something that's under consideration," said spokesman Cook.

Source: MENA