UNITED NATIONS: Libya urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to approve a request for military purchases as it struggles to combat Islamic State extremists and protect its oil fields.
The internationally-recognized government, one of two bodies that claims to rule troubled Libya, has asked the council's sanctions committee to grant an exemption to an arms embargo and allow it to beef up its air force.
"The leadership of the Libyan army has submitted specific requests for exemptions from the arms embargo to the sanctions committee," Libyan Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi told the 15-member council.
"These requests relate to reinforcing the ability of the Libyan air force so that it may be able to monitor Libya's territory and borders, and prevent the terrorists from reaching oil fields and oil facilities, so that it can protect the fortune and wealth of the country," he said.
According to a document from the sanctions committee seen by AFP, Libya is seeking to purchase 14 MiG fighter jets, seven helicopters, 150 tanks, 150 armed personnel carriers mounted with machine guns, 10,000 grenade launchers, along with ammunition rounds and mortars from defence contractors in Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Serbia.
The request came less than two weeks after Libya asked the council to lift the arms embargo imposed in 2011 when the country descended into violence after the uprising against Moamer Kadhafi.
Britain, France and the United States oppose scrapping the embargo, arguing that it would fuel violence, but diplomats have stressed that arms contracts can be approved by the sanctions committee on a case-by-case basis.
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