Libyan govt condemns IS attack on oil field

TRIPOLI, May 19 (Xinhua): Libya's UN-backed government on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack carried out by Islamic State (IS) affiliates on a southern oil field, which killed two guards and kidnapped four others.

"The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord condemns the attack that targeted the (government-owned) Zueitina Oil Company in Zalla town," the government said in a statement.

The government blamed the east-based army, which is fighting the government for control of the capital Tripoli since early April, for "the increased crime and chaos as well as growing terrorism" in the country.

In a statement, IS claimed responsibility for the attack and confirmed that the militants clashed with the army forces in the field.

This is the third attack on army positions in southern Libya in less than a month.

Located some 650 km southeast of the Libyan capital Tripoli, Zalla contains five major oil fields which have repeatedly been attacked by IS affiliates.