Libya unity govt forces retake key crossroads from IS

Tripoli: Forces loyal to Libya's new unity government announced the recapture from the Islamic State jihadist group of a strategic crossroads on Tuesday near its eastern stronghold of Sirte.

They also advanced on Sirte, reaching a zone 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the coastal city, the Government of National Unity (GNA) forces said on their Facebook page.

It said the GNA lost seven fighters in retaking Abu Grein, a crossroads where the highway along the Mediterranean meets the main road south into the desert interior.

IS fighters last week seized control of the crossroads, 100 kilometres west of Sirte.

The GNA and forces of a rival government based in eastern Libya have embarked on a race to evict IS from its stronghold in Sirte, 400 kilometres east of Tripoli.