Libya’s government announced Thursday it was mobilizing its security forces after acknowledging for the first time that "terrorist groups" were behind dozens of attacks against security services and Westerners.

Libya's government announced Thursday it was mobilizing its security forces after acknowledging for the first time that "terrorist groups" were behind dozens of attacks against security services and Westerners.

Three years after a revolution toppled long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi and left the country awash with guns, near-daily attacks continue unchecked across Libya.

An overnight government statement called on "the international community and in particular the United Nations to provide the necessary support to eradicate terrorism in Libyan cities".

"The nation finds itself in a confrontation with terrorist groups, and it falls upon the government to mobilize its military and security forces to fight this scourge," said the statement, published on the government's website.

"There will be no place for terrorism in Libya... and Libyans must be prepared for such a battle in terms of caution, awareness and sacrifice," said the statement.