US confirms UAE, Egypt bombed targets in Libya

WASHINGTON DC, USA – The US government said Tuesday, August 26, that the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have carried out bombing raids against Islamist forces in Libya.

“We do believe there were air strikes undertaken in recent days by the UAE and Egypt inside Libya,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told a news conference.

The State Department also confirmed the air attacks but officials would not say whether Washington was notified in advance.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki reiterated that Washington viewed “outside interference” as a threat to diplomatic efforts to defuse the conflict.

“Obviously that’s part of our concern here, given the fact that Libya is in a very fragile place,” Psaki told reporters.

In a joint statement on Monday, the United States, Germany, Italy, France and Britain called for a democratic transition in Libya and denounced meddling by outsiders, without mentioning the air strikes specifically.

The United Nations said it could not confirm the air strikes but spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned “outside actors should refrain from intervening or supporting any of the armed actors involved in the fighting in Libya.”

The New York Times first reported the bombing raids near Tripoli and US officials privately acknowledged them. The UAE flew the warplanes and used an Egyptian air base to carry out the strikes.

The first round of strikes took place about a week ago and a second round was conducted on Saturday, August 23, possibly in a bid to prevent Islamist-linked militias from seizing control of the Tripoli airport.

But the militia forces eventually succeeded in taking over the airport, despite the bombing runs. – Rappler.com