The British Foreign Office has ruled out air strikes against Islamic State targets in Libya in response to last month’s beach attack in Tunisia that left 30 British tourists dead.
The prime minister, David Cameron, ordered government departments to draw up contingency plans for Libya before his overseas trip this week to south-east Asia. Those responsible for the attack in the resort of Sousse are believed to have been trained in Libya.
He told officials that if the Libyans can put together a credible government, the UK should have possible plans in place to help. He asked the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development and the Home Office to look at ways the UK could help. The main area under consideration is sending help to try to improve border security. Also under consideration is help with the training of police, which would primarily be a matter for the Home Office, though the MoD might also contribute.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “Supporting progress towards a UN-mediated ceasefire and a stable political settlement in Libya is our immediate priority. The UK has no plans to launch air strikes over Libya. We are working closely with international and regional partners to support the Libyans to tackle terror groups and are discussing how to use existing UN security council resolutions to sanction terrorist groups in Libya, including groups affiliated to Isis.”
In a sign of concern about the state of Libya and Britain’s post-conflict intervention, the Commons foreign affairs committee is launching an inquiry into the government’s foreign policy with respect to the north African country. The inquiry has a parallel to the one into the invasion of Iraq, albeit on a much smaller, time-limited and less well-resourced scale.
It will look at strategic analysis undertaken before the intervention regarding its implications and consequences; the extent and effectiveness of post-conflict planning by the UK and its allies; and Britain’s engagement with Libya in the aftermath of fighting in 2011.
The inquiry will also look at the UK’s withdrawal in 2014, and its engagement with the two competing administrations and various militias in Libya since, including the extent to which it is still seen as an ally in the country.
