DHAKA: Islamic State militants have set up training camps in eastern Libya, the head of the US Africa command says.

Gen David Rodriguez said there could be "a couple of hundred'' IS fighters undergoing training at the sites.

He said the camps were at a very early stage, but the US was watching them "carefully to see how it develops".

Libya has been in turmoil since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, with various tribes, militias and political factions fighting for power, reports BBC.

Several Islamist groups are competing for power in the east of the country, with some militants recently declaring allegiance to IS.

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BDST: 0858 HRS, DEC 04, 2014