AFRICA/LIBIA - Elements of the Islamic State and Boko Haram are in Libya, says the Prime Minister

Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - In Libya there are both elements of the so-called Caliphate or Islamic State or (ISIL/ISIS or Daesh in Arabic) and elements of the Nigerian Boko Haram group. This was stated by the Libyan Prime Minister, Abdullah al-Thinni, in response to a specific question from reporters. According to what was reported in the "The Libyan Herald", the Prime Minister pointed out that with regard to the Islamic state "there are groups in the city of Derna and other Libyan cities and in Sirte". Derna, in Cyrenaica, is considered the cradle of the more radical Islamic Libyan extremism since the days of the Gaddafi regime.
"In addition, there is also the Boko Haram group orginally from Nigeria" added al-Thinni, who was forced to take refuge in the east of the Country after Tripoli fell into the hands of the militias that oppose his government. "Terrorism does not have a specific place and we must recognize the seriousness of the existence of these groups that destabilize the security of the Country with the support of current policies", said the Premier.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Benghazi. At least 75 people have died in the last five days of clashes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2014)