US President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Africa Command says the forces in Libya should be able to carry out strikes against Daesh on their own. US Marine Lieutenant General Thomas Waldhauser made the comments during a confirmation hearing in the US Senate on Tuesday.

In response to a question by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on whether Obama should give the commander of the Africa Command the authority to attack Daesh in Africa “on your own,” Waldhauser said: “It would be wise.”

He described Libya as a “kind of a backup [for Daesh] if Iraq and Syria fail,” further admitting before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he is “not aware of any overall grand strategy at this point” to defeat the terrorists.

Waldhauser noted that Daesh in Libya could “eventually” launch an attack on Europe, while the African country’s alliances could shift among various factions, which could endanger the country’s unity government or Government of National Accord (GNA).

“The unpredictable nature of paramilitary group patronage will most likely remain a significant obstacle to the GNA’s efforts to establish sovereignty,” he said in written testimony.

Presstv