But the Government faced warnings that troops on the ground in Libya in any capacity would be a risk. The UK government has said that it is ready to consider any request from the new Libyan government for support in countering ISIS. But a senior British official told CNN on Wednesday that Britain would not be sending troops into Libya without clear guarantees of its security. Hammond ruled out the use of ground troops used in combat, but suggested that military personnel could be deployed to help train the new administration’s army and police. He also suggested that the UK could also offer naval or air support. On his return from Libya, Hammond argued that ISIS was currently “thin on the ground” in the country, suggesting that: “There are many pointers that now is the time to move against them.” This reflects the wider concern that ISIS is looking to gain a foothold in Libya following its losses in Iraq and Syria.
The UK government has said that it is ready to consider any request from the new Libyan government for support in countering ISIS. But a senior British official told CNN on Wednesday that Britain would not be sending troops into Libya without clear guarantees of its security. Hammond ruled out the use of ground troops used in combat, but suggested that military personnel could be deployed to help train the new administration’s army and police. He also suggested that the UK could also offer naval or air support. On his return from Libya, Hammond argued that ISIS was currently “thin on the ground” in the country, suggesting that: “There are many pointers that now is the time to move against them.” This reflects the wider concern that ISIS is looking to gain a foothold in Libya following its losses in Iraq and Syria.