Washington, Shawwal 28, 1437, Aug 2, 2016, SPA -- President Barack Obama said Tuesday that airstrikes against IState targets in Libya were in the United States' national security interest and would help Libyan authorities prevent the terrorist group from gaining a foothold there, dpa reported. "At the request of that government, after they had already made significant progress against ISIL, and had essentially pushed ISIL into a very confined area in and around Sirte, it is in America's national security interests in our fight against ISIL to make sure that they are able to finish the job," Obama said in a press conference. "We're working in partnership with them to assure that ISIL does not get a stronghold in Libya, even as Libya begins what is going to be a long process to establish a functioning government and security system there." The Pentagon and the Libyan government said Monday that the US was conducting airstrikes in Sirte, where intelligence officials estimate there are some 1,000 Islamic State fighters. -- SPA 21:08 LOCAL TIME 18:08 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w