Libya demands mercenary pullout; Syrian militia on its way

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush calls for ‘immediate’ departure of all foreign fighters from Libya.

Libya’s new unity government has demanded the “immediate” withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries ahead of year-end elections in a call backed by the visiting top diplomats of France, Germany and Italy. The North African country descended into chaos after dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, resulting in multiple forces vying for power. Fighting only came to a halt last year and a formal ceasefire in October was followed by the establishment of a unity government led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.