Islamic State in Libya kills 10 militiamen

Tripoli, March 18, (dpa/GNA) - Islamic State fighters on Wednesday attacked forces loyal to the unrecognized government based in the Libyan capital Tripoli, killing 10 militiamen, a militia source said on the condition of anonymity.

The source said the attack targeted a checkpoint near the town of al-Nofaliyeh, which lies some 130 kilometres east of the city of Sirte.

The Islamic State has clashed with pro-Tripoli forces around Sirte since Friday.

Pro-Tripoli militia surrounded Sirte in mid-February after Islamic State published a video showing the beheading of 21 mostly Egyptian Christians who had been abducted in the town.

Islamic State appears to control both central Sirte - hometown of slain dictator Moamer Gaddafi - and al-Nofaliyeh.

It also has a significant presence in the eastern city of Derna, which was hit by Egyptian airstrikes in February after the beheading video was released.

Libya is divided between an internationally recognized government based in the far eastern city of Tobruk and an alliance of militias who control the capital Tripoli.

On Monday European Union ministers agreed to draft options for a possible peacekeeping intervention in Libya.

The EU is concerned by the growing presence of Islamic State on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, as well as Libya's growing role as a point of embarkation for refugees and migrants seeking to reach Europe by sea.

The ministers made it clear that they would only consider intervening if Tripoli and Tobruk manage to find common ground at UN-brokered negotiations that are being held in Morocco.

GNA