LOC09:36
06:36 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met Thursday with Libya Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj at the Pentagon during which they discussed the defense relationship between the two countries and regional security challenges.
Mattis expressed his "sincere and deep appreciation to Prime Minister Al-Sarraj for Libya's stalwart counterterrorism partnership and their efforts in the global fight to defeat (IS)," the Pentagons said in a statement.
It added that Mattis "also conveyed the US continued support for political and security progress in Libya."
Mattis and the Libyan Prime Minister also discussed "concerns about (IS) and Al-Qaeda taking advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting inspiring and directing terrorist attacks."
The Pentagon noted that Mattis and Al-Sarraj "also reaffirmed their continued commitment and support to address the growing threat from (IS) and other extremist groups, particularly in North Africa."
Meanwhile, on North Korea, Mattis said in remarks to the press during his meeting with Al-Sarraj "we will continue to work diplomatically.
We'll continue to work through the United Nations -- the United Nations Security Council and we will be unrelenting in that."
"At the same time our diplomats will speak from a position of strength because we do have military options," he remarked. (end)
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