Libya’s political chaos slows fight against IS

ROME — The military strategy for eliminating the Islamic State in Libya appeared on hold Tuesday as nations fighting the extremist group said they could help the North African country re-establish security once its long-awaited new government is established.

But Libya is in political crisis, more than four years after a U.S.-led military effort helped topple dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Neither the U.S. nor anyone else at a 23-nation conference in Rome spoke of a second military intervention.

Although much of the conference focused on anti-Islamic State efforts in Syria and Iraq, the concluding statement of foreign ministers also noted Islamic State’s “growing influence” in Libya. And U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued his own warning, saying “the last thing in the world you want is a false caliphate with access to billions of dollars of oil revenue.” He called for more security training and undefined military support for Libya.

Since 2014, Libya has been split between two rival authorities. A new unity government still doesn’t have parliamentary approval. And an Islamic State affiliate is carving out territory in the center of Libya while militants, wearied by coalition airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, flock to the new front.

Despite increased alarm, the U.S. and the European and Arab countries only resolved at Tuesday’s meeting to “continue to monitor closely developments there, and stand ready to support the Government of National Accord in its efforts to establish peace and security for the Libyan people.”

Kerry indicated political progress might be occurring behind the scenes, describing Libya as “on the brink of getting a new government” after months of waiting. But at a news conference later in the day, Kerry sidestepped a question that specifically concerned military strategy in Libya by focusing mainly on Syria and on President Barack Obama’s determination not to build a significant U.S. military troop presence anywhere.

The meeting in Rome comes days after Obama convened a National Security Council meeting dedicated to Libya. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter also warned that Islamic State militants were consolidating there by establishing training sites, attracting foreign recruits and raising tax money.

European countries, too, are weighing options.