The UK government has stated that it is ready to consider any request from the new Libyan government for support in countering ISIS . Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond who travelled to the country on 18 April to meet the leaders of the UN - backed administration , which is currently based at Tripoli ’s naval base , revealed that such a request was “ quite possible ” and likely to be made in relation to the coastal city of Sirte . Hammond ruled out the use of ground troops used in Libya , but suggested that military personnel could be deployed to help train the new administration ’s military 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. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond who travelled to the country on 18 April to meet the leaders of the UN-backed administration, which is currently based at Tripoli’s naval base, revealed that such a request was “quite possible” and likely to be made in relation to the coastal city of Sirte. 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.