Libya’s new unity government said Tuesday it wants warplanes and helicopters to fight "jihadists" as it hailed international support for lifting a longstanding embargo on weapons sales.

Libya's new unity government said Tuesday it wants warplanes and helicopters to fight "jihadists" as it hailed international support for lifting a longstanding embargo on weapons sales.

International backing to lift the embargo, in place since 2011, is "fundamental to the creation of a strong army... capable of fighting the terrorist ISIL group and other extremist groups", Deputy Prime Minister Mussa al-Kony told AFP.

On Monday, the United States, Italy and Libya's friends and neighbors agreed to arm its fledgling Government of National Accord to confront the threat from ISIL as the GNA seeks to assert its authority.