US commander in Africa says Libya is a failed state

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top American general in Africa says Libya is a failed state.

Army Gen. David Rodriguez's assessment in congressional testimony Tuesday comes almost two weeks after Secretary of State John Kerry warned Libya was close to failing.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina asked Rodriguez to quantify how much of Libya is under the control of extremist groups. Rodriguez replied that the Islamic State group controls the area in and around its stronghold city of Sirte.

The Islamic State is recruiting militants from abroad into Libya in an effort to exploit years of chaos and expand its foothold in the oil-rich North African country.

Asked whether he would consider Libya a failed state, Rodriguez said he does.