President Obama has called on Gulf
nations to use their influence on Libya's warring factions to help
resolve the chaotic situation there.
He said those nations had been seen to "fan the flames of military conflict" in the North African country.
Libya has been in turmoil since the removal of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
There are two rival governments and numerous militia controlling their own patches of territory.
Divisions
have emerged among Gulf nations on Libya, with the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) reportedly bombing Islamist targets in Libya and Qatar expressing
reservations about such operations
But Mr Obama said the crisis in Libya, where Islamic State has built a
presence, could not be ended with "a few drone strikes or a few
military operations".
"We're going to have to encourage some of
the countries inside of the Gulf who have, I think, influence over the
various factions inside of Libya to be more cooperative themselves," Mr
Obama told reporters.
"In some cases, you've seen them fan the flames of military conflict, rather than try to reduce them."
The
US president is due to host leaders of the six leaders of the Gulf
Cooperation Council - from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
and the UAE - next month at the White House
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