The Arab League is due to hold a meeting on 18 August to discuss a request from Libya for air strikes against the jihadist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis).

In a statement released on 15 August, Libya’s Tobruk-based government issued a statement calling for Arab nations to confront militants in the coastal city of Sirte, where there has been recent fighting between Isis and rival militias.

On 15 August, Libyan state-controlled news service Lana reported that Isis had beheaded 12 fighters from rival groups and hung their bodies on crosses.

The US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK issued a joint statement on 17 August condemning the acts carried out by Isis in Sirte.

“We are deeply concerned about reports that these fighters have shelled densely populated parts of the city and committed indiscriminate acts of violence to terrorise the Libyan population,” the statement said. “There is no military solution to the political conflict in Libya.”

Isis took control of parts of Sirte in June this year.