Libyan government forces running low on ammo as battles continue in Benghazi

Libyan government forces are now being forced to deal with ammunition shortages just as battles with Islamists in the city of Benghazi continue.

Mohamed el-Hajazi, spokesman for the government forces' commander Khalifa Haftar, has said that the ammunition shortages are now affecting fighters located all over the city of Benghazi. el-Hajazi also pleaded to the international community, saying "We are fighting terrorism on behalf of the world," in an attempt to bring aid and ammunition to the fighters in the city.

el-Hajazi's pleas may not have fallen on deaf ears, with Libya's official Premier, Abdullah al-Thinni, saying the U.N. should begin work on lifting an arms embargo that has thus far prevented any of the government-allied forces from purchasing ammunition which could be used for the battles, according to Yahoo News.

The call to lift the arms embargo is tinged with urgency, after the Islamist group, Majli al-Shura, recently revealed by pictures posted on social media, that they have constructed mortars and rockets from materials found locally.

Libya's arms embargo has been in place since the time of the uprising against Gaddafi, and proponents of keeping it in place have suggested that new arms being brought into the region could just as easily fall into the wrong hands as it could into the hands of the government-allied forces.

The forces, who formally acknowledge the internationally-recognized government currently in place, have been locked in the battles in and around Benghazi ever since 2011. The battles in the city have originated and continued eveer since former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was thrown out of power back in 2011, according to Reuters.

In addition to the threat posed by the Islamist group currently occupying Benghazi, Libya has also expressed concern over the possible appearance of ISIS within the country.

Libya's internationally-recognized government has already asked for outside help in anticipation of ISIS potentially entering the fray and turning the situation into one similar to Iraq, according to the Daily Star Lebanon.

Even officials from the Tripoli-based rival government have sent out pleas for help in order to fend off any possible advances ISIS could make upon the city.