Cameron to take on IS in Libya
Wife’s tears as Chris rides to glory
DAVID Cameron has ordered offi- cials to draw up plans for tackling jihadist forces in Libya, it emerged last night.
The Prime Minister is understood to be concerned about the spread of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( Isil) in the African country since the fall of the dictator, Muammar Gaddafi.
Security chiefs fear the Islamists are using Libya as a base to stir up violence in neighbouring Tunisia, where 30 British holidaymakers were massacred last month.
The new focus on Libya is part of a growing determination by Mr Cameron to confront IS.
Significant
He is set to trigger a Commons vote on military strikes against jihadist targets in Syria when Parliament returns this autumn. A senior Ministry of Defence source said yesterday British strikes in Libya were not being discussed.
Instead, officials were looking at preparing to offer military assistance to authorities in Tripoli. At present, there is no central government in Libya but efforts are being made to establish a national unity administration.
The source said: “Isil are in Libya, although its presence is not as significant as that in Iraq and Syria. There are concerns about links with Tunisia. Officials are looking at what help we can give when there is a government in Libya. We are not talking about air strikes.”
Mr Cameron was beginning a tour of South- East Asia last night, where he is expected to speak to foreign leaders about cooperating against extremist terror groups.
He said: “Isil is one of the biggest threats our world has faced. We will only defeat these brutal terrorists if we take action at home, overseas and online and if we unite with countries around the world against this common enemy.”
Possible action in Libya could involve sending military specialists to help and train local forces.
Foreign Office minister Baroness Anelay said: “We are working with Libya’s neighbours to enhance their capacity to tackle the threat [ of Isil]. A lasting and inclusive political settlement and the establishment of a Government of National Accord is the best way to tackle the threat in the long term.
“We stand ready to support the Government of National Accord on security issues, not least tackling Isil, as soon as it is formed.”
Officials say the focus of the effort in Libya is to tackle traffickers organising the passage of migrants to Europe.
JIHADI JOHN ON RUN IN FEAR OF BEING BEHEADED LIKE HIS VICTIMS
THE wife of Tour de France hero Chris Froome fought back tears last night as she described how she has struggled – while heavily pregnant – to cope with claims he is a drugs cheat.
Michelle watched her husband subjected to three weeks of appalling abuse from hostile French crowds.
Froome, 30, who has never failed a test, had urine thrown at him and was spat at during the 2,000- mile race.
But last night she cried tears of joy as he became the first Briton to win the Tour twice.
She said: “It has been a rollercoaster and there was a lot of controversy after the first week. Chris just takes it in his stride, it’s water off a duck’s back… myself not so much – it has been a rough few weeks.
“He really wanted to prove a lot of people wrong and I think he has done that.”
Michelle, 28, vented her anger on Twitter as Chris and teammates were abused.
But yesterday, in an emotional speech, he told Michelle: “Your love and support are my strength and motivation and I can’t wait for the next chapter of our lives to start with the birth of our baby boy.”
Daily Express Monday July 27 2015 ISLAMIC State executioner “Jihadi John” is reportedly on the run from the terror group after fearing he could meet the same fate as his victims.
Mohammed Emwazi, who is believed to have beheaded innocent hostages in a series of horrific videos, may have become expendable to IS after being identified by the media and targeted by US Special Forces.
The British Kuwaiti, 26, has not been in any of the group’s propaganda videos since the murder of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto in January.
The computer science graduate, who came to London in 1994, may have fled to North Africa to keep a low profile.
British jihadis who threaten attacks on the West are being targeted in US drone strikes after being traced through phones and social media.
Abu Rahin Aziz, 33, from Luton was apparently killed on July 4, while Reyaad Khan, 21, from Cardiff, died on July 7.
Both had used Twitter shortly before their deaths.
Emwazi became infamous for appearing in internet videos depicting the murders of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as aid workers Alan Henning, David Haines and Peter Kassig.
Nick Kaderbhai from the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, said: “It does not make sense to think that they would drop him like a stone. It’s not like he’s a captured Westerner who has lost propaganda value.” The fourth of five men who left Portsmouth in 2013 to join IS has died. Assad Uzzaman, 25, known as Abu Abdullah, is thought to be the 50th Briton killed in Syria
and Iraq.
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