Anti-Daesh coalition to be formed if Libyans fail to establish unity government

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said "in a few months we will somberly have to admit that ... an anti-(Daesh) coalition such as the one in Iraq and Syria will have to be formed [in Libya] but I insist this is not on the agenda today nor tomorrow," ANSA reported on Friday.

During an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Gentiloni added "doing this now, would mean certifying that Libyan efforts are destined to failure. If we had to intervene against terrorism we would wish to do so after a request by the Libyan government in order to support it".

The minister also stressed "we must not underestimate the threat", but neither "describe Libya as a [Daesh] province".

"In the current phase it's not possible. It would be a serious mistake. Americans and Europeans are squaring their bets on the stabilization of the Country" he said in response to a question on possible military intervention by the coalition in Libya.

Gentiloni said he "does not see an alternative" to the establishment of a government of national unity contributing to the stabilization of the Country. "Any other scenario - warned the minister - would be dangerous for Libya and for the international community". "We can contain the terrorist threat in several ways but there are no other means to stabilize the Country and initiate its reconstruction", stated Gentiloni reaffirming the need for a government of national unity.

Source: MENA