G-5 meeting focuses on Libya and ISIS terrorism

BARACK Obama, David Cameron, Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Matteo Renzi met in Hannover on Monday for a rare G-5 meeting which covered the most pressing issues on the trans-Atlantic agenda, including the next phase in the battle against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). While the summit had a wide-ranging economic and political agenda, including Ukraine, Syria and the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the future of Libya was centre stage, with a range of options discussed, including the potential for a Nato mission, to help stabilise the country.

This is because, at a time when the newly-established Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya wants to restore order in the country, there are growing US-UK-German-French-Italian and wider international concerns that ISIS may be establishing a stronghold there, especially in the coastal city of Sirte.

US intelligence estimates indicate the number of so-called ISIS fighters in Libya has probably doubled to between 4,000 to 6,000 in the last 12 to 18 months, with growing evidence that a significant number of these terrorists are travelling from Iraq and Syria where, because of offensive operations from the 66 member coalition forces, ISIS fighters are believed to be at the lowest level for some two years.