French Ministry of Defense warned that IS forces were moving inland from their coastal strongholds into Libya’s oil wells areas aiming to overtake the oil fields, while ruling out a military intervention, RT reported.

According to France24, French Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said: “They are in Sirte, their territory extends 250 kilometers along the coast, but they are starting to penetrate the interior and to be tempted by access to oil wells and reserves.”

The statement came out days after the world powers had supported the formation of a national unity government in Libya, brokered by the UN. US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and his Italian counterpart, Paolo Gentiloni, joined by UN Envoy, Martin Kobler, were optimistic that the majority of the representatives of Libya’s two rival governments would sign a unity deal on December 16th.