The U.S. military has carried out air strikes in Libya following a request to attack the extremist Islamic State (IS) group's stronghold.
The Pentagon said on August 1 that the air strikes were the first time it had bombed targets in Sirte, the northern port city and birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.
U.S. Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook said President Barack Obama had authorized the U.S. strikes after a request from the Libyan government and recommendations from top U.S. defense officials.
Cook said the air attacks will continue in Sirte, a city of some 80,000 people that is halfway between the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the eastern city of Benghazi.
Large parts of Libya fell into chaos after strongman Qaddafi was ousted and killed in October 2011.
Two governments are vying for power in the country and several armed groups -- including IS militants -- are fighting to control oil resources.