Western powers stress need for 'political solution' in Libya

Fighters from the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia hold a position during clashes with forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government as they fight for control of the area on February 4, 2015 in al-Aqrabiyah. By Mahmud Turkia (AFP/File)

Rome (AFP) - Western powers on Tuesday stressed the need for a political solution to the crisis in Libya in a statement apparently distancing them from calls for military intervention in the north African state.

The "brutal" recent beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians by militants affiliated to the Islamic State group demonstrated "once again the urgent need for a political solution to the conflict," a statement issued in the name of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain said, according to an Italian version released by the foreign ministry in Rome.