Libya parliament speaker says no to foreign military action

Cairo - The speaker of Libya's internationally recognised parliament says his government is against any Western military intervention in his country.

Aqila Issa told reporters in Cairo on Monday that his government, based in eastern Libya, would only seek military help from Arab nations if needed.

Issa said: "Foreign military intervention in Libya is rejected. If we need any military intervention, we will ask our Arab brothers."

Issa's comments, on the sidelines of an Arab League meeting, come as French President Francois Hollande earlier ruled out unilateral military intervention by his country in Libya. Hollande did say French forces would strike extremists leaving Libya.

Libya, torn between rival governments, has been beset by militia violence since its 2011 civil war and the death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.