Obama: Libya airstrikes critical to US security

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Libya continued for a second day Tuesday, as President Barack Obama called the new bombing campaign critical to protecting U.S. national security interests.

The strikes are needed to ensure that Libya's fragile new Government of National Accord is "able to finish the job" and drive the militants out of the troubled North African country, Obama said.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters the U.S. launched airstrikes on five locations in Sirte Monday and two Tuesday, targeting tanks, vehicles, a rocket launcher and Islamic State fighting positions.