Hammond says Iraqi army successful in fight against IS

BRUSSELS, May 23 (KUNA) -- UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Monday that there is an increase in the capability of the Iraqi army and a growing self-confidence in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS).
Speaking to journalists as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Hammond said "they've had success after success and they are clearing Daesh out of the Euphrates valley as well as preparing for the longer term goal of an assault on ISIL." "We certainly support the Iraqi government in seeking to clear these remaining pockets of Daesh," he added.
Commenting on the request by Libya for EU training of its coast guard, he said it can make a great deal of difference to cut down illegal migration.
"The Libyan coastguard is the basis on which we have to build security in the coastal waters of Libya. We can provide training, we can provide equipment, we can provide additional technical support," he said.
"Part of the purpose of the meeting today is how we are going to take forward our response to that request from the Libyan government. But I think the key thing is that we have now gotten the Libyan government asking us for that help, so that we can work with them to ensure that the Libyan coast is secure, that will cut down arm smuggling along the coast, but it will also of course cut down illegal migration towards Europe," Hammond added. (end) nk.mt