Libya: Islamist fighters are pushed back in Benghazi

Relieved residents have been celebrating in
Benghazi after Islamist militants were forced
out of parts of the eastern Libyan city by forces
loyal to the internationally recognised
government.
The victory for supporters of military
commander Khalifa Haftar, a leading figure in
the 2011 revolution, comes despite fears over
ISIL’s expanded presence in Libya, exploiting
the security vacuum left when Colonel Gaddafi
was toppled.
Benghazi has seen some of the worst violence in
the conflict that has plagued Libya ever since.
The country still has two rival administrations
although a UN-backed plan for a future unity
government is starting to take shape.
In the meantime, the US special envoy to the
coalition fighting ISIL, Brett McGurk, warned
on Tuesday that the group is trying to attract
as many foreign fighters to Libya as possible.