Global powers to provide arms to Libyan government

VIENNA — In a move fraught with risk, the United States and other world powers said Monday they would supply Libya’s internationally recognized government with weapons to counter the Islamic State and other militant groups gaining footholds in the chaos-wracked country’s lawless regions.

Aiming at once to shore up the fragile government and prevent Islamic State fighters and rival militias from making further gains, the U.S., the four other permanent U.N. Security Council members and more than 15 other nations said they would approve exemptions to a U.N. arms embargo to allow military sales and aid to Libya’s “Government of National Accord.”

In a joint communique, the nations said that while the broader embargo will remain in place, they are “ready to respond to the Libyan government’s requests for training and equipping” government forces.

The communique was issued at the end of the talks that gathered U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and top officials from more than 20 other nations to discuss ways to strengthen Libya’s fledgling government.

The step will boost the government’s efforts to consolidate power and regain control over Libyan state institutions like the central bank and national oil company.