Libya asks UN to approve arms contracts

Libya urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to approve a request for military purchases as it struggles to combat Islamic State extremists and protect its oil fields.

The internationally-recognized government has asked the council's sanctions committee to grant an exemption to an arms embargo and allow it to beef up its air force.

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The request came less than two weeks after Libya asked the council to lift the arms embargo imposed in 2011 when the country descended into violence after the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

Britain, France and the United States oppose scrapping the embargo, arguing that it would fuel violence, but diplomats have stressed that arms contracts can be approved by the sanctions committee on a case-by-case basis.